attending

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "attending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is present at an event or happening. For example: "I am attending the concert tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SDLP chairman Alex Attwood said: "Mr Adams' non-attendance and his reasons for not attending set a dangerous precedent.

The Guardian

Guardian Masterclasses are designed to provide an enjoyable and high-quality experience for those attending.

The Guardian

"The blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been pointed out very clearly by the UN's commissioner for human rights," Amos told the Guardian during a visit to Tokyo, where she was attending a conference on improving responses to humanitarian crises in the Asia-Pacific.

The Guardian

About 500 relatives of victims are attending the ecumenical service, with hundreds more watching on large screens outside the cathedral and in a neighbouring church.

The Guardian

Evans said he was attending to protest the "shredding of the constitution" and added that he was happy that "you guys on the left are finally starting to see it".

The Guardian

Not many students I've spoken to have even thought of attending other lectures – some find it hard enough to get to their own.

The Guardian

Often, half the people attending have been in leftwing politics for years, and the other half are in community action groups and no longer identify as left; it can be difficult, sitting between them, to see how the meeting could ever tip into something bigger.

The Guardian

They've come this far by being dedicated, tenacious, deeply informed on the issue and on board policy, and by regularly meeting among themselves and attending most of the meetings.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is exemplified in the 1991 Tailhook scandal, where more than 80 US naval women officers were sexually harassed by US naval pilots while attending a two-day symposium at a Las Vegas hotel.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of the 301 Conservative donors listed by the party as attending Leader's Group events since March 2012, only six are women.

The Guardian

Those attending from the press side included John Witherow, the Sunday Times editor tipped to edit the Times, Paul Vickers, the group legal director of Trinity Mirror, Chris Blackhurst, the editor of the Independent – and Wright and Lord Hunt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attending" to convey active participation or engagement, not just passive presence.

Common error

Avoid confusing "attending", which means being present at an event, with "tending", which means taking care of something. For example, say "I am attending the meeting", not "I am tending the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attending" is as a present participle, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is attending") or as an adjective describing someone who is present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attending" is a versatile word, most often used as a present participle to denote presence and participation at events. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, be mindful to differentiate it from "tending" and to use appropriate synonyms to maintain accuracy and nuance. Remember, context is key to its correct and impactful usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in attendance at

More formal and often used in official contexts to list who was present.

being present at

Focuses on the physical presence at an event, often more formal.

participating in

Emphasizes active involvement rather than just presence.

taking part in

Similar to 'participating in', but can imply a less formal involvement.

making an appearance at

Suggests a brief or formal visit, often for publicity or social reasons.

showing up at

Informal way to indicate presence, sometimes implying a sense of obligation or expectation.

sitting in on

Specifically refers to attending a meeting, class, or session, often as an observer.

frequenting

Implies regularly visiting a place or event.

patronizing

Suggests frequent or regular attendance as a customer or supporter.

gracing with one's presence

Humorous or exaggerated way to say someone is present, often implying importance.

FAQs

How can I use "attending" in a sentence?

"Attending" is used to describe being present at an event or function, such as "I am "attending the conference"". It can also refer to a doctor who supervises a patient's care.

What can I say instead of "attending"?

You can use alternatives like "being present at", "participating in", or "taking part in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "attending" or "tending" a meeting?

The correct phrase is "attending a meeting". "Tending" means to take care of, so it's not appropriate in this context.

What's the difference between "attending" and "visiting"?

"Attending" implies being present at a specific event or function, while "visiting" suggests going to a place. You attend a conference, but you visit a city.