attend
B1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To be present at an event, meeting, or place; to go to or be at.
To deal with, take care of, or give attention to something or someone; to accompany or be connected with something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has two main semantic clusters: 1) physical presence at an event/location, 2) giving care/attention. The latter is often used in medical/formal contexts ('attend to a patient').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In UK English, 'attend' is slightly more common in formal educational contexts ('attend university'). In US English, 'go to' is often preferred in casual speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'attend' implies formality or obligation more than 'go to'.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English corpora, particularly in written formal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
attend + NP (event/place)attend to + NP (person/task)attend + adverb (e.g., regularly, faithfully)be attended by + NP (accompanied by)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “attend to one's knitting (mind your own business)”
- “attend upon someone (serve/wait on)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for meetings, conferences, and mandatory events. 'All staff must attend the quarterly review.'
Academic
Common for lectures, classes, and university. 'Students are expected to attend all seminars.'
Everyday
Used for social events, appointments, and gatherings. 'Will you attend the barbecue on Saturday?'
Technical
In medical/legal contexts: 'The doctor will attend to the emergency.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will attend the AGM in London.
- The nurse attended to the wound.
- He attends a state school.
American English
- He will attend the board meeting in Chicago.
- Could you attend to this customer, please?
- She attends a public school.
adverb
British English
- He listened attentively to the briefing.
American English
- She watched attentively as the demo unfolded.
adjective
British English
- The attendee list is confidential.
- We have a high attendee rate.
American English
- The attendee list is confidential.
- We have a high attendance rate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I attend English class on Mondays.
- Did you attend the party?
- The children attend school nearby.
- You must attend all the training sessions.
- Over 200 people attended the wedding.
- The manager will attend to your complaint shortly.
- Despite the storm, a core group of delegates attended the conference.
- The surgeon attended to the most critical cases first.
- Attendance has been declining since the switch to hybrid events.
- The Prime Minister is expected to attend the climate summit, accompanied by a full diplomatic retinue.
- A sense of solemnity attended the proceedings, lending them an air of historic gravity.
- He attends meticulously to the nuances of contractual language.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AT + TEND. You are AT an event, and you TEND to be there (or TEND to the matter).
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTION IS PHYSICAL PRESENCE (to attend to a problem is to be 'with' it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'посещать' for casual visits – 'attend' is more formal/obligatory.
- Avoid using 'attend' for 'посетить врача' (visit a doctor) – use 'see a doctor'.
- 'Attend to' ≠ 'ждать' (to wait) – it means 'ухаживать, заниматься'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I attended to the concert.' (Correct: 'I attended the concert.')
- Incorrect: 'She attends the patient.' (Correct: 'She attends to the patient.')
- Overuse in casual contexts where 'go to' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'attend' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Attend' means to be present at an event. 'Attend to' means to deal with or take care of a person, task, or problem.
It is neutral but leans formal. In very casual speech, 'go to' is often preferred (e.g., 'go to a party' vs. 'attend a party').
Yes, modern usage fully accepts 'attend a webinar', 'attend a Zoom meeting', etc.
The main nouns are 'attendance' (the act of being present) and 'attendee' (a person who attends).