to attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to attend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being present at an event, meeting, or gathering. Example: "I plan to attend the conference next week to learn more about the latest industry trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thatcher unable to attend.

The New Yorker

Only £99 to attend.

The Guardian

Both chose not to attend.

The New York Times

He invited Krsnich to attend.

The New Yorker

But several declined to attend.

The Economist

He had decided to attend.

The New York Times - Sports

Astor declined to attend.

The Guardian

Register to attend here.

The Guardian

He refused to attend.

The Guardian

I refused to attend.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's $90 to attend.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to attend" when you want to clearly state someone's presence or participation at an event, meeting, or function.

Common error

Avoid using "tend" when you mean "attend". "Tend" means to take care of, while "attend" means to be present at. For example, say "I will attend the meeting", not "I will tend the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to attend" is as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express intention, purpose, or obligation. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to attend" is a very common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express the act of being present at an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility extends across various contexts, from News & Media to Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "to participate in" or "to be present at" exist, "to attend" remains a clear and direct choice. Remember to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "tend", and ensure your usage aligns with the intended meaning of being present rather than taking care of something. This guide offers practical tips and answers to frequently asked questions, empowering you to confidently incorporate "to attend" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be present at

Focuses on the state of being at a location or event, rather than the action of going.

to participate in

Emphasizes active involvement in an activity or event.

to be a part of

Highlights inclusion or membership in a group or event.

to show up at

More informal, emphasizing the act of arriving at a location.

to turn up at

Similar to "show up at" but with a slightly more casual tone.

to make an appearance at

Suggests a brief or formal presence at an event.

to sit in on

Implies attending a meeting or session as an observer.

to drop in on

Indicates a casual or unplanned visit to an event or place.

to grace with one's presence

A more formal and somewhat humorous way of saying "to attend".

to visit

A simple and general term for going to a place or event.

FAQs

How do I use "to attend" in a sentence?

Use "to attend" to express your intention or action of being present at an event. For instance, "I plan to attend the conference next week", or "She was invited to attend the ceremony".

What's a formal alternative to "to attend"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "to be present at" or "to participate in" to convey a similar meaning as "to attend".

Is it correct to say "attending to" instead of "to attend"?

"Attending to" has a different meaning than "to attend". "Attending to" means taking care of something or paying attention to it, whereas "to attend" means being present at an event. For example, "I am attending to my emails" versus "I am going to attend the conference".

What is the difference between "to attend" and "to visit"?

"To attend" usually implies being present at a structured event or gathering, while "to visit" is a more general term for going to a place. You attend a meeting, but you visit a city.