be attended to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be attended to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone is taking action in response to something that needs to be addressed. For example, "The mayor promised that the citizens' concerns will be attended to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Knees and elbows must be attended to.

The Guardian - Books

This must be attended to right away.

The New York Times

Local objections were not to be attended to.

The New York Times

Slower ships and curmudgeonly cousins must be attended to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those had to be attended to as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

So those things need to be attended to.

Harvard University

Numerous important design features can degrade linking results and should be attended to in future linking studies.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

These must be attended to promptly to avoid serious damage to the eye.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These have become known as 'wicked, messy' problems and must be attended to with alternate planning approaches.

Futures

But really, the earth can be attended to until it freezes, in about a month hereabouts.

The Washington Post

Many parts of my personal life had to be attended to.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be attended to", ensure the subject requiring attention is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be attended to" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "take care of" or "deal with" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be attended to" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject receives attention or action. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the recipient of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be attended to" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase commonly used to indicate that something or someone will receive attention or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. The phrase finds frequent use in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in casual conversation where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When using "be attended to", ensure clarity regarding the subject requiring attention to prevent ambiguity. Remember, while phrases such as "be taken care of" or "be addressed" are alternatives, you should choose them carefully according to the context you have.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taken care of

Focuses on the action of providing care or dealing with a problem. It's generally more informal than "be attended to".

be addressed

Emphasizes the act of dealing with an issue or problem, often in a formal setting. It's more direct and less focused on the process.

be looked after

Implies a level of care and supervision, similar to "be taken care of", but can also suggest a more protective aspect.

be dealt with

Highlights the action of handling or managing a situation, often implying a problem or challenge.

be managed

Focuses on the process of controlling or directing something, often in a business or organizational context.

be handled

Similar to "be dealt with", but can also imply a level of skill or expertise in managing the situation.

require attention

Shifts the focus to the need for action, rather than the action itself. It's more of a statement of necessity.

need to be resolved

Specifically addresses the need to find a solution to a problem or conflict.

be serviced

Suggests the act of maintaining or repairing something, typically in a technical or mechanical context.

be rectified

Implies correcting something that is wrong or erroneous, suggesting a more formal or technical context.

FAQs

How can I use "be attended to" in a sentence?

The phrase "be attended to" indicates that something needs attention or action. For example, "All customer inquiries will "be attended to" promptly" or "These issues need to "be attended to" immediately".

What are some alternatives to using "be attended to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be taken care of", "be addressed", or "be dealt with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "attend to" or "be attended to"?

The active form "attend to" places emphasis on the actor performing the action (e.g., "The nurse will attend to the patient"). The passive form ""be attended to"" emphasizes the recipient of the action (e.g., "The patient will "be attended to" by the nurse").

What's the difference between "be attended to" and "be looked after"?

"Be looked after" often implies a more comprehensive level of care and supervision, while ""be attended to"" focuses more on addressing specific needs or issues. For example, a child might "be looked after" by a babysitter, while a broken machine might "be attended to" by a technician.