attend university

USAGE SUMMARY

"attend university" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate either currently attending or planning to attend a university. For example, "After high school, I plan to attend university and pursue a degree in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She will attend university in the fall.

The New York Times - Style

Should parents attend university open days?

The Guardian

Only a few thousand attend university each year.

The Economist

Phung yearns to attend university and become an accountant.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, many students attend university outside Greenland, especially in Denmark.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reading is regarded as one of the essential skills for learners wanting to attend university.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

More people from disadvantaged backgrounds now attend university, too.

The Guardian

Some postsecondary students who do not attend university obtain further education in business and technical schools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Too poor to attend university, he worked as a farmer, railway administrator, and freelance writer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We would not get pregnant, we would pass our exams, we would attend university.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another issue was his use of a corporate plane to attend University of Georgia football games.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future plans, use "attend university" to clearly state the intention of pursuing higher education. For example, "After graduating high school, I plan to "attend university" to study engineering".

Common error

Avoid using "attend university" when referring to short courses or workshops. Use it specifically for degree-granting programs. Saying "I will "attend university" for a weekend workshop" is incorrect; instead, say "I will attend a workshop at the university".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attend university" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of being present and participating in the activities of a university as a student. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attend university" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the action of being a student at a university. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used to express future plans, current status, or past experiences related to higher education. It's usage spans across neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writings. While alternatives like "go to university" or "study at university" exist, "attend university" maintains a clear and professional tone. Remember to use it specifically for degree-granting programs and avoid the error of adding a preposition such as "to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go to university

This alternative is a more informal way to express attending university.

study at university

This alternative focuses on the academic aspect of attending university.

enroll in university

This alternative emphasizes the act of registering for university.

be a university student

This phrase emphasizes the state of being a student at a university.

get a university education

This phrase focuses on receiving education from a university.

pursue higher education

This is a more general term that encompasses all forms of post-secondary education.

undertake university studies

This alternative highlights the undertaking of academic studies at the university level.

matriculate at university

This alternative is a formal and somewhat archaic term for enrolling at a university.

join a university

This alternative has a slightly broader meaning as it encompasses not just students but also staff and faculty.

be enrolled at a higher education institution

This alternative is a formal and bureaucratic way to express attending university

FAQs

What does it mean to "attend university"?

To "attend university" means to be enrolled as a student at a university and participate in its academic programs. It implies active engagement in studying and learning within the university environment.

What can I say instead of "attend university"?

You can use alternatives like "go to university", "study at university", or "enroll in university" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "attend to university"?

No, the correct phrase is "attend university", without the preposition "to". The verb "attend" directly takes the noun "university" as its object.

What's the difference between "attend university" and "graduate from university"?

"Attend university" refers to the period of being a student at a university, while "graduate from university" refers to the completion of a degree program and receiving a diploma.