attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "attend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about going to or being present at an event, activity, or class. Example sentence: I plan to attend the meeting tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have lately seen an increase in the number of persons leaving Norway to take part in acts of war, attend training camps or join terrorist networks abroad," the Norwegian authorities said.

The New York Times

In order to get the most from the Guardian Masterclass, you should ensure you arrive promptly and attend each session in full.

The Guardian

We are able to change the name on the ticket if you are unable to attend and choose to have another party attend in your place.

The Guardian

Nigeria's neighbours, Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, were expected to attend, along with US, UK and EU representatives.

The Guardian

Enraged by a string of perceived refereeing injustices, Napoli's players refused to attend the post-game medal ceremony.

The Guardian - Sport

After meeting the British prime minister, David Cameron, on Monday he is due to attend the UN general assembly meeting today.

The Guardian

Sayeeda Warsi was offered the job of "senior minister of state" at the Foreign Office, with the right to attend cabinet, over the phone on a motorway hard shoulder.

The Guardian - Opinion

The party has asked American supporters to contribute up to $400 £208.766) to its electoral war chest to attend a fundraising dinner in downtown Washington on April 21.

The Guardian

"You need a few goats to slaughter, you need people to attend the ritual, you need to provide food and drinks for them," says Theo. "These people live on a day-to-day basis.

The Guardian

On Friday morning, a few hundred fans and journalists braved the freezing cold to attend a draw party at Sporting Park, Kansas City, site of Saturday's MLS Cup final, for a watch party also attended by several US national team members, including Clint Dempsey and Omar Gonzalez, as well as internationals from the competing MLS Cup finalists Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake.

The Guardian - Sport

Only around 6.5% of school-aged children in the UK attend independent schools.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attend", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean physical presence or active participation. For formal settings, "attend" is preferable over more casual alternatives like "go to".

Common error

Avoid using "attend" when you mean "attend to", which means to take care of or deal with something. "Attend" refers to being present, while "attend to" refers to handling responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The verb "attend" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It indicates the act of being present at a specific event or location, often for a particular purpose. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts, supporting this grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "attend" signifies being present at an event, meeting, or location, primarily functioning as a transitive verb. As Ludwig highlights, its usage spans from formal business settings to news reports. It's crucial to differentiate "attend" from "attend to", where the latter implies taking care of something. The most common context is News & Media. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by using "attend" when you specifically mean being present. The Ludwig AI confirms that "attend" is correct and usable in written English. Given its high frequency and broad applicability, mastering its usage is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be present at

Focuses on the physical presence at an event rather than the action of participating.

participate in

Emphasizes active involvement in an event or activity.

take part in

Similar to 'participate in' but can imply a smaller role.

be at

A simpler way of indicating presence, often used for informal contexts.

go to

Indicates the act of going to a place or event.

sit in on

Specifically refers to attending a meeting or lecture as an observer.

give attention to

Implies focusing on or considering something, not physical presence.

pay attention to

Similar to 'give attention to', highlighting the mental focus.

look after

Focuses on taking care of or managing something.

deal with

Emphasizes handling or addressing a task or problem.

FAQs

How do I use "attend" in a sentence?

Use "attend" to describe being present at an event, meeting, or class. For example, "I will attend the conference next week."

What's the difference between "attend" and "participate in"?

"Attend" simply means to be present, while "participate in" implies active involvement in the event or activity.

What can I say instead of "attend"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be present at", "go to", or "take part in".

When should I use "attend to" instead of "attend"?

Use "attend to" when you mean to take care of something or someone, or to pay attention to a task or problem. For example, "Please attend to these matters immediately."