attending him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attending him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is providing care, assistance, or attention to another person. Example: "The nurse was attending him throughout the night to ensure he was comfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It was a very traumatic scene, and all individuals attending him did a tremendous job".

The Guardian

"And he was conscious and was able to converse with the people attending him.

The New York Times

But the father becomes ill, and Nora winds up attending him as he dies of cancer.

The New Yorker

When my own son was killed in Iraq, one of the medics attending him was a woman".

The New York Times - Books

Mike Sullivan's wife left him eventually, and the author, though loving and attending him when needed, gave up on breakthroughs.

The New York Times - Books

He spent two miserable years in the dungeon, unable to get anyone in authority to address his case, and after falling gravely ill he became convinced that the physician attending him was administering poison.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A certain celebrity quickly attended him.

The New York Times

He had invited a doctor to attend him in his dying moments.

The New York Times

Soldiers from both sides rush to attend him and laid him beneath a tree; many wept in despair.

The New York Times

Squads of top BBC make-up personnel had attended him behind the stage before he emerged.

The Guardian

They rented a house in Ireland, until taxis and doctors refused to attend him.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attending him" when you want to emphasize the act of providing care, assistance, or presence to someone, particularly in situations involving illness, injury, or need.

Common error

Avoid using "attending him" in overly casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "being with him" or "helping him" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attending him" functions as a verb phrase, typically as part of a larger clause describing someone providing care or assistance. Ludwig shows examples in diverse contexts, such as medical care, personal support, and general assistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attending him" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe providing care, assistance, or presence to someone. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news reports, encyclopedic entries, and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, avoid overusing it in very casual settings where simpler alternatives may be preferred. Alternatives such as "caring for him", "assisting him", and "tending to him" can offer subtle differences in emphasis, allowing for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking care of him

General phrase indicating responsibility for someone's welfare.

caring for him

Focuses more on the aspect of providing care and nurture.

assisting him

Highlights the act of providing help or support.

nursing him

Specifically refers to providing medical care.

tending to him

Emphasizes the act of taking care of someone's needs.

looking after him

Suggests a broader responsibility for someone's well-being.

ministering to him

Implies a more formal or professional assistance, often in a medical context.

waiting on him

Suggests serving someone, fulfilling their needs or requests.

serving him

Emphasizes providing a service or fulfilling a duty.

being with him

Focuses on presence and companionship during a specific time.

FAQs

What does "attending him" mean?

The phrase "attending him" means providing care, assistance, or support to someone. This could involve medical attention, personal care, or simply being present to assist with their needs.

What can I say instead of "attending him"?

You can use alternatives like "caring for him", "assisting him", or "tending to him" depending on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "attending him"?

The phrase "attending him" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news reports, encyclopedic articles, and professional communications. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

Is it correct to say "attended to him" instead of "attending him"?

Yes, "attended to him" is also correct. It implies that the action of providing care or assistance has already occurred, whereas "attending him" suggests an ongoing or current action.