needed to attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed to attend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a requirement or obligation to be present at an event or gathering. Example: "I needed to attend the meeting to discuss the project updates with the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are a variety of reasons students needed to attend summer school.

The New York Times

He even expressed doubt that prisoners needed to attend their hearings.

The New York Times

Blacks needed to attend school only for 120 days a year, he said, whites, 180.

The New York Times - Arts

The employee's supervisor must approve in advance this training and any release time needed to attend.

Stanford University

"One woman who really wanted to come had two memorial services scheduled that she felt she needed to attend.

The New York Times - Travel

Keenan apologised and sought to explain his absence by saying he needed to attend "a significant operation in the AFP".

The Guardian

She did not walk with her senior class at graduation because she still needed to attend summer school.

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't learn to read, and I was told that I needed to attend an after-school program.

The New York Times

Now, Spungin drove the calendar, so she could make the calls about which meetings she needed to attend.

Harvard Business Review

Georgetown was refusing to amend his financial aid package with the $20,000 he needed to attend as a freshman.

Stanford University

Minus these two things, it becomes very difficult for a child to acquire a resident's permit, a document needed to attend school.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needed to attend", ensure the context clearly indicates who needed to attend and the reason for their attendance. Providing this context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when clarity and directness are preferred. For instance, instead of "The meeting needed to be attended by him", prefer "He needed to attend the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed to attend" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an obligation or requirement. It typically follows a subject and verb, specifying what action was necessary. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needed to attend" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for expressing the necessity of presence at an event or location. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who needed to attend and why. Avoid overuse of the passive voice for more direct communication. Understanding these nuances, together with appropriate substitutions such as "was required to attend" or "had to be present at", will enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had to be present at

Emphasizes obligation, focusing on the act of being present.

was required to attend

Highlights a formal requirement or rule.

was obliged to go to

Indicates a sense of duty or commitment.

had a commitment to attend

Stresses a pre-existing agreement or promise.

it was essential to be at

Highlights the importance or necessity of attendance.

attendance was necessary

Focuses on the necessity of being there.

was expected to be present at

Emphasizes the expectation of one's presence.

had to make an appearance at

Suggests a less formal or more social obligation.

found it necessary to attend

Highlights the speaker's judgment of necessity.

was indispensable to attend

Emphasizes that it was critical to attend.

FAQs

How can I use "needed to attend" in a sentence?

Use "needed to attend" to express a requirement or obligation to be present at an event. For example, "I needed to attend the conference to present my research".

What are some alternatives to saying "needed to attend"?

You can use alternatives like "was required to attend", "had to be present at", or "attendance was necessary" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "needed to attend" and "had to attend"?

While both phrases express a requirement, "needed to attend" implies a slightly softer necessity, whereas "had to attend" suggests a stronger obligation or external compulsion. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.

Which is correct: "needed to attend" or "need to attend"?

"Needed to attend" is typically used in the past tense, indicating a past requirement. "Need to attend" is used in the present tense, indicating a current requirement. The correct choice depends on the timeframe you are referencing.