attend an interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attend an interview" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of going to a scheduled meeting or assessment for a job or position. Example: "I have to attend an interview for the marketing position tomorrow morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lone parents claiming benefit will have to attend an interview to explore work options.

The Economist

Before you attend an interview, be clear on the job role and research the company.

The Guardian

Ask for feedback whenever you submit an application or attend an interview that's unsuccessful.

The Guardian

Soon afterwards, he was asked to attend an interview at the city's Adelphi Hotel.

The Guardian - Sport

Then she was requested to attend an interview under caution on 14 April.

The Guardian

Will I need to attend an interview before I am admitted to MIT and NUS?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He was told, she said, that "it would be possible for him to attend an interview discreetly".

The New York Times

– ID800680 I received an invitation to attend an interview for a role I really wanted for the following Wednesday.

The Guardian

In fact, even Europeans traveling on a tourist visa must attend an interview in the U.S. embassy or consulate.

The New York Times

If I am unable to attend an interview in person, can I do a phone or video interview?

Columbia University

Until now, Dutch universities have not tended to ask UK-based students to attend an interview as part of the application process, although this is beginning to change.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "attend an interview", ensure that the context clearly indicates the type of interview (e.g., job interview, university interview, visa interview) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "attend". The correct phrase is "attend an interview", not "attend to an interview" or "attend at an interview".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attend an interview" is that of a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of being present at a scheduled interview, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attend an interview" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe being present at a scheduled interview. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and professional settings. While alternatives such as "go to an interview" or "participate in an interview" exist, "attend an interview" is a neutral and reliable option. It is important to use the correct preposition and to ensure the context clarifies the type of interview being referenced. This phrase serves the purpose of conveying one's presence at an evaluative meeting. Ludwig examples show a very common usage across news, academic, and scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to an interview

Replaces "attend" with the simpler verb "go to", maintaining the same meaning.

participate in an interview

Emphasizes active involvement in the interview process rather than just being present.

appear for an interview

Implies fulfilling an obligation or requirement to be present at the interview.

be present at an interview

Focuses on the physical presence at the interview location.

sit for an interview

Suggests a more formal and structured interview setting.

have an interview

A more general way of saying that an interview is scheduled or taking place.

undergo an interview

Highlights the experience of being subjected to the interview process.

take part in an interview

Similar to "participate in an interview", emphasizing involvement.

be interviewed

Passive voice focusing on the person being interviewed.

schedule an interview

Focuses on the act of arranging the interview rather than attending it.

FAQs

What does "attend an interview" mean?

The phrase "attend an interview" means to be present at a formal meeting where someone is asked questions to assess their suitability for a job, position, or program. It implies fulfilling a scheduled appointment for this purpose.

What's the difference between "attend an interview" and "have an interview"?

"Attend an interview" emphasizes the action of going to the interview, while "have an interview" simply indicates that an interview is scheduled or will take place. The first focuses on the act of presence; the second on the occurrence.

How to use "attend an interview" in a sentence?

You can use "attend an interview" in sentences like: "I need to attend an interview next week", or "She had to attend an interview for the scholarship". It generally refers to the act of being present at the interview.

What can I say instead of "attend an interview"?

You can use alternatives like "go to an interview", "participate in an interview", or "appear for an interview", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.