he attached himself to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he attached himself to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who becomes closely associated or involved with a person, group, or cause. Example: "After moving to the new city, he attached himself to a local community group to make new friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He attached himself to leaders.

The Guardian - Sport

Adam's tour lasted two years, most of this time spent in Italy, where he attached himself to important mentors.

The New York Times - Arts

The creator of "Peter Pan" lost everyone he attached himself to and was left mad and bereft.

The New York Times - Books

There he attached himself to Trilling, whose major book, "The Liberal Imagination," came out in 1950, the year Podhoretz graduated.

The New Yorker

He attached himself to Mr Bush out of principle, not some British instinct to hold the coat-tails of the superpower.

The Economist

On the accession of Philip III in 1598, he attached himself to the king's favourite and chief minister, Lerma, by whom he was employed as a secretary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He attaches himself to her and to her little girl, and wants the mother to spend the evening with him.

The New Yorker

And by the time he attaches himself to Dean (Samuel Ball), a homophobic punk who has been prowling the neighborhood, Charlie's vengeful agenda is painfully apparent.

The New York Times

He attaches himself to a shy teenager named Justin who says he's bullied at school because of his weight, and teaches him to make a chicken stir fry.

The New York Times - Arts

Dr. Parr discovered the free living stage of the male devil-fish and the fact that he is born separate but remains that way only until the first female comes along, when he attaches himself to the female as a parasite.

The New Yorker

And you've got this person, and he's got all kinds of problems, his own interests and ambitions, he's living a profane life and he attaches himself to these righteous people.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "aligned", "joined", or "devoted" if you want to convey a more intentional or committed relationship. "Attached" can sometimes imply a less formal or even parasitic connection.

Common error

Avoid using "he attached himself to" when a more neutral or positive term is appropriate. For instance, if someone genuinely admires and supports a cause, using "he dedicated himself to" would be more fitting than "he attached himself to", which might suggest ulterior motives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he attached himself to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed by the subject. It describes the act of aligning or associating oneself with a person, group, or cause. Ludwig examples show its common use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he attached himself to" signifies forming a close association with someone or something, often implying support or dependence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile. However, as a writer be cautious of the potential connotations of opportunism or dependency. Alternatives such as "he aligned himself with" or "he dedicated himself to" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. The phrase commonly appears in news articles and encyclopedias, and while adaptable, selecting the right verb ensures precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he aligned himself with

Changes the verb to 'aligned', suggesting a more deliberate and strategic association.

he associated with

Replaces 'attached himself' with 'associated', indicating a general connection or relationship.

he became a follower of

Emphasizes the role of following or supporting a leader or ideology.

he joined forces with

Highlights a collaborative effort or partnership towards a common goal.

he gravitated towards

Suggests a natural inclination or attraction to someone or something.

he devoted himself to

Shifts the focus to dedication and commitment to a cause or person.

he threw in his lot with

Indicates a decisive commitment and willingness to share the fate of someone or something.

he took up with

Suggests forming a relationship or association, often implying a casual or informal connection.

he became affiliated with

Emphasizes a formal or official connection with an organization or group.

he linked up with

Highlights a connection or partnership, often in a more informal or spontaneous way.

FAQs

What does "he attached himself to" mean?

The phrase "he attached himself to" means that someone became closely associated or involved with another person, group, or cause. It can suggest a deliberate effort to align with someone for personal gain or genuine support.

What can I say instead of "he attached himself to"?

You can use alternatives like "he aligned himself with", "he associated with", or "he became a follower of" depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "he attached himself to" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "he attached himself to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of its potential connotations of opportunism or dependence.

How does "he attached himself to" differ from "he dedicated himself to"?

"He attached himself to" implies a closer association or dependence, while "he dedicated himself to" suggests a stronger commitment and devotion to a cause or person. The latter usually carries a more positive connotation.