could not attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'could not attend' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are giving a reason why you cannot be somewhere, for example: "I'm sorry I couldn't attend your birthday celebration yesterday as I had to work late".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He could not attend the wedding.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, Jesse Eisenberg could not attend.

The New Yorker

Mr. Newman himself, however, could not attend).

The New York Times

She told Appelbaum that he could not attend the screening.

The New Yorker

Organizers canceled the event after Mr. Rangel could not attend.

The New York Times

His wife could not attend her father's funeral.

The New York Times

Some members of Mr. Gotti's immediate family could not attend.

The New York Times

"I could not attend TWU because I am gay," says Mr Loke in the legal challenge.

The Economist

After the tragedy, Zuma explained to the 84,000 crowd that Mandela could not attend.

The New York Times - Sports

She was told she could not attend the Kennedy Center Honors, a major annual Washington event.

The New York Times

The action amassed more than 450,000 people who could not attend the street demonstrations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining why someone "could not attend", provide a brief and clear reason to maintain transparency and avoid speculation. For instance, "He could not attend due to a prior engagement".

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "could not attend" without offering a reason. This can sound dismissive or create unnecessary mystery. Instead, briefly explain the reason for their absence to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not attend" functions as a declarative statement expressing the inability of someone to be present at an event or location. It is widely recognized and used, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not attend" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express someone's inability to be present at an event or function. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various writing styles and contexts. Predominantly found in news, media and scientific publications, the phrase serves to provide a clear and concise explanation for an absence. When using this phrase, consider providing additional context to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was prevented from attending

Highlights the external factors that caused the absence, adding a layer of explanation.

was unable to be present

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "attend" with "be present" and "could not" with "was unable to".

was not in attendance

A formal way of stating absence, commonly used in official reports or meeting minutes.

was absent from

Directly states the absence, suitable for formal contexts or official records.

was indisposed and couldn't make it

Indicates that illness or another personal issue made attendance impossible; emphasizes inability due to personal reasons.

did not manage to make it

Emphasizes the lack of success in reaching the event, using a more casual tone.

was not able to participate

Focuses on the lack of involvement, useful when participation is a key aspect.

missed the event

Focuses on the experience of missing the event, suitable for informal or personal contexts.

failed to appear

Implies a stronger sense of obligation or expectation, suggesting a potential breach of commitment.

had to decline the invitation

Focuses on the act of refusing an invitation, highlighting the prior arrangement or conflict.

FAQs

What does "could not attend" mean?

The phrase "could not attend" indicates that someone was unable to be present at a particular event, meeting, or function due to various reasons.

What are some formal alternatives to "could not attend"?

Formal alternatives include "was unable to be present", "was not in attendance", or "was prevented from attending". These options are suitable for professional or official communications.

How can I politely explain that I "could not attend" an event?

You can politely explain by saying, "I regret that I "was unable to be present" due to a prior commitment" or "I apologize, but I "was prevented from attending" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a more casual way to say "could not attend"?

Informal ways to express this include "did not manage to make it" or "missed the event". These options are suitable for personal conversations or informal emails.