attending to

USAGE SUMMARY

"attending to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean concentrating one's attention on something to the exclusion of all else. For example: "I am attending to the task at hand and can't be disturbed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps he was only attending to reality.

The New York Times - Books

Attending to endless petitioners must become repetitive.

The Guardian

I've got issues that need attending to".

The New York Times

There indeed was a writer attending to the world, attending to the body, missing nothing.

The Guardian - Books

Because it presupposes that those situations needed attending to.

The Guardian - Music

I can't quite imagine what needs attending to so swiftly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tovar was often abroad, attending to his weed-smuggling affairs.

The New Yorker

"In fact you're attending to specific things at specific times.

The Guardian

"He was attending to some business of a personal nature".

The New York Times - Sports

For that alone, Phillips's treatment is worth attending to.

The Guardian - Books

I was too busy attending to my half-baked plan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attending to" when you want to emphasize actively focusing on and addressing something, especially when it requires care or specific action.

Common error

While "attending to" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing where more precise verbs like "managing", "addressing", or "overseeing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attending to" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb tense. It indicates an ongoing action of giving attention or care to someone or something. As Ludwig's examples show, it's used to express active engagement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attending to" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that signifies actively focusing on and addressing something with care and attention. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature and formal business communications. While broadly suitable, remember to consider using more precise alternatives like "managing" or "addressing" in highly formal contexts to enhance clarity. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "attending to" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking care of

Implies managing or handling something, often with a sense of responsibility. Has a wider application than "attending to".

looking after

Suggests watching over and ensuring the well-being of someone or something. Emphasizes care and protection more than "attending to".

dealing with

Indicates addressing or handling a task or issue. Focuses on problem-solving more than "attending to".

focusing on

Highlights directing one's attention or efforts towards a specific point. More about concentration than direct action implied by "attending to".

concentrating on

Similar to 'focusing on' but suggests a deeper level of mental engagement. Emphasizes mental effort more than "attending to".

giving attention to

A more verbose way of saying attending to with slightly less emphasis on action.

being mindful of

Implies being aware and considerate of something. More about awareness than direct action of "attending to".

addressing

Suggests tackling or dealing with a problem or situation, often in a formal or official capacity. Focuses on solving rather than general care of "attending to".

managing

Indicates overseeing and controlling something, often with a sense of organization and planning. Emphasizes control more than "attending to".

handling

Implies taking care of something, often a task or responsibility, in a practical manner. Highlights direct action.

FAQs

What does "attending to" mean?

"Attending to" means giving your time and attention to something; taking care of or dealing with someone or something.

How can I use "attending to" in a sentence?

You can use "attending to" in sentences like: "The doctor is "attending to" the patient", or "She's "attending to" her business affairs".

What are some alternatives to "attending to"?

Alternatives include "taking care of", "dealing with", "focusing on", or "looking after" depending on the context.

When should I use "attending to" instead of "attend to"?

"Attending to" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "He is attending to the matter"). "Attend to" is the base form, used in simple tenses or as an infinitive (e.g., "Please attend to this issue immediately").