would be attending

USAGE SUMMARY

"would be attending" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone intends to do something in the future, although the action may still be uncertain. For example: "We had hoped that the Prime Minister would be attending the summit in our country next month, but it appears that other duties will keep him away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lokshino said she would be attending the meeting.

The Guardian

Harlem was badly situated for him, since he would be attending school way out in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

It was announced Wednesday that no Penn State players would be attending.

The New York Times

Hapson Mazoyo, the priest, said he doubted he would be attending the service.

Independent

All they knew was that "a powerful ally" would be attending their gathering, Ms. Soltani said.

The New York Times

The museum did not provide details about the event or who would be attending.

The Washington Post

He also said the E.P.A. had no knowledge the cardinal would be attending the dinner.

The New York Times

The FSA had intelligence suggesting some 150 high-ranking officers would be attending the meeting.

The Guardian

Ms. O'Donnell let Mr. Corbett know she would be attending a Celtic band concert that evening.

The New York Times

The two children would be attending long day care three days a week.

The Guardian

Poles and yuppies alike would be attending the same Latin Mass.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be attending" to express a future action or event with a degree of certainty or expectation. It's often used to describe arrangements or plans that have been made but are not yet finalized. For example, "The CEO would be attending the conference, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "would be attending" when the attendance is absolutely certain and confirmed. In such cases, use "will be attending" to convey a stronger sense of certainty. For example, instead of saying "She would be attending the meeting", say "She will be attending the meeting" if her attendance is confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be attending" functions as a future-in-the-past tense, indicating an action or event that was planned or expected to happen at a certain point in the future from a past perspective. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.1%

Formal & Business

18.64%

Science

15.25%

Less common in

Wiki

1.69%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be attending" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express planned or expected future actions from a past perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and science. While it suggests a level of certainty, it also implies a degree of uncertainty or conditionality. When certainty is absolute, "will be attending" is more appropriate. Use it to add nuance to your writing, conveying both intention and possibility. Alternatives like "was scheduled to attend" and "was expected to be present" offer different shades of meaning. Avoid overusing 'would' when the action is absolutely confirmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to attend

Focuses on a pre-arranged plan, emphasizing the schedule aspect.

was expected to be present

Highlights an expectation of someone's presence, often based on prior arrangements or assumptions.

planned on being there

Emphasizes the individual's intention to be at the event.

had intended to go

Implies a prior intention to attend, which may or may not have been realized.

was due to appear

Suggests a formal or official expectation of attendance.

was supposed to be there

Highlights an obligation or expectation, sometimes implying that attendance is not entirely certain.

was in line to participate

Suggests that someone's attendance is part of a broader involvement or activity.

was slated to be involved

Implies a formal listing or scheduling of someone's participation.

was on the list to attend

Highlights that someone's presence was formally recorded or planned.

had been anticipated to be present

Emphasizes that someone's presence was expected and possibly eagerly awaited.

FAQs

How can I use "would be attending" in a sentence?

Use "would be attending" to indicate a future event that is planned or expected but not entirely certain. For instance, "He said he "would be attending" the conference, but his schedule is subject to change."

What's a more formal alternative to "would be attending"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "was scheduled to attend" or "was expected to be present". For example, "The speaker "was scheduled to attend" the seminar."

When should I use "will be attending" instead of "would be attending"?

Use "will be attending" when the attendance is confirmed and certain. Use "would be attending" when there's a degree of uncertainty or it's contingent on certain conditions. For example, "She "will be attending" the gala" (certain) vs. "She "would be attending" if her health permits" (conditional).

What does "would be attending" imply about the certainty of attendance?

"Would be attending" suggests a planned or expected attendance, but it also implies a possibility that circumstances could change, preventing the person from attending. It indicates a level of uncertainty that "will be attending" does not.