attend a lecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'attend a lecture' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it any time you want to indicate that someone is planning to attend a lecture – either one that was recently planned, or one that will happen in the future. For example, you could say: "I plan to attend a lecture by Professor Smith on Thursday afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Lecturer A California university charged $100 to attend a lecture by Eno, who is an in-demand speaker.

Independent

We braved thirteen inches of snow to attend a lecture in a planetarium.

The New Yorker

One evening I attend a lecture at the Shaikh Hamdan mosque on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

The Guardian

There are minor bloopers, such as when Hawking and his fellow PhD students attend a lecture by Sir Roger Penrose Christian McKayy) in 1963 discussing "black holes".

The Guardian - Film

Writer met Hawking at the Rockefeller University, when he was on his way to attend a lecture by fellow cosmologist S.-Y.

The New Yorker

Adults may attend a lecture by Dr. Henry Lee and Dr. Jerry Labriola, forensic criminologists and a co-authors of books on the subject.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

A newly arrived English undergraduate, I attended a lecture at an obscure time by an obscure lecturer about a novel by Ursula le Guin.

The Guardian - Books

Under this approach, students attending a lecture for an undergraduate research methods course were invited by their lecturer to participate in a research project on academic dishonesty.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

She and the academic attended a lecture together one night.

The New Yorker

Tells about attending a lecture given by Sidney Horenstein, a paleontologist on the museum's staff.

The New Yorker

Writer attended a lecture on electricity given in the Foundations I class, a basic course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attend a lecture" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone is present at and listening to a formal talk or presentation. Be mindful of the context, as other phrases like "sit in on a lecture" may be more appropriate in informal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "attend a lecture" in very casual settings. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "catch a talk" or "drop in on a presentation" when the context is informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attend a lecture" functions as a verb phrase, where 'attend' is the main verb indicating the action of being present at and participating in a lecture. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attend a lecture" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the action of being present at a formal talk or presentation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register and is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. For more casual situations, consider alternatives like "go to a lecture" or "sit in on a lecture".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to a lecture

Simple substitution of verb, maintains identical meaning.

sit in on a lecture

Emphasizes the act of being present and listening, more informal.

listen to a lecture

Focuses on the auditory experience of the lecture.

hear a lecture

Similar to 'listen', but can imply a less intentional act.

be present at a lecture

More formal, emphasizes physical presence.

take in a lecture

Focuses on absorbing the information presented.

partake in a lecture

Very formal and less common, suggests active involvement.

catch a lecture

Informal, implies attending opportunistically.

attend a presentation

Broader term, encompassing various types of formal talks.

enroll in a lecture series

Focuses on a set of lectures, not a single event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "attend a lecture"?

You can use phrases like "go to a lecture", "sit in on a lecture", or "listen to a lecture", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "attending a lecture"?

Yes, "attending a lecture" is the present participle form and is grammatically correct. For example, "She is attending a lecture on astrophysics."

What's the difference between "attend a lecture" and "give a lecture"?

"Attend a lecture" means to be present as an audience member, while "give a lecture" means to be the presenter or speaker.

How do I use "attend a lecture" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I plan to "attend a lecture" on climate change next week" or "Students are required to "attend a lecture" series as part of the course."