Attent vs. Attend — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
"Attent" is an incorrect spelling, while "Attend" is correct, referring to being present at an event or paying attention to something.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Attent or Attend
How to spell Attend?
Attent
Incorrect Spelling
Attend
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Associate it with “end” because when you attend something, you stay until the end.
Recall "at ten," imagining you have to attend a meeting at 10 o’clock.
Think of "tend" as in tending to something, with an “A” for added care.
Note the word "tend" in attend, relating to caring or serving.
Use the phrase “Attend to a friend” as it implies paying attention to or being present for a friend, and it rhymes.
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How Do You Spell Attend Correctly?
Incorrect: He did not attent the conference last year.
Correct: He did not attend the conference last year.
Incorrect: She was too sick to attent class.
Correct: She was too sick to attend class.
Incorrect: I need to attent the meeting tomorrow.
Correct: I need to attend the meeting tomorrow.
Incorrect: Can you attent to this matter immediately?
Correct: Can you attend to this matter immediately?
Incorrect: We should attent the workshop to improve our skills.
Correct: We should attend the workshop to improve our skills.
Attend Definitions
To be present at an event or location.
He will attend the conference tomorrow.
To deal with or take care of something/someone.
The nurse will attend to the patient.
To occur at the same time as something.
Risks attend any pioneering venture.
Be present at (an event, meeting, or function)
Her family were not invited to attend
The whole sales force attended the conference
Deal with
He muttered that he had business to attend to
Escort and wait on (a member of royalty or other important person)
Her Royal Highness was attended by Mrs Jane Stevens
Occur with or as a result of
People feared that the switch to a peacetime economy would be attended by a severe slump
To be present at
Attended the lecture.
To go regularly to
Attended class every Tuesday and Thursday.
To accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result
The speech was attended by wild applause.
To take care of (a sick person, for example). ]
To listen to (something or someone); to pay attention to; regard; heed.
To listen (to, unto).
(intransitive) To turn one's consideration (to); to deal with (a task, problem, concern etc.), to look after.
Secretaries attend to correspondence.
(ambitransitive) To wait upon as a servant etc.; to accompany to assist (someone).
Valets attend to their employer's wardrobe.
Servants attend the king day and night.
(transitive) To be present at (an event or place) in order to take part in some action or proceedings; to regularly go to (an event or place).
Children must attend primary school.
To go to (a place) for some purpose (with at).
To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to.
A measure attended with ill effects
To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store for.
Alternative form of atend.
To direct the attention to; to fix the mind upon; to give heed to; to regard.
The diligent pilot in a dangerous tempest doth not attend the unskillful words of the passenger.
To care for; to look after; to take charge of; to watch over.
To go or stay with, as a companion, nurse, or servant; to visit professionally, as a physician; to accompany or follow in order to do service; to escort; to wait on; to serve.
The fifth had charge sick persons to attend.
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
With a sore heart and a gloomy brow, he prepared to attend William thither.
To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to; as, a measure attended with ill effects.
What cares must then attend the toiling swain.
To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.
To apply the mind, or pay attention, with a view to perceive, understand, or comply; to pay regard; to heed; to listen; - usually followed by to.
Attend to the voice of my supplications.
Man can not at the same time attend to two objects.
To accompany or be present or near at hand, in pursuance of duty; to be ready for service; to wait or be in waiting; - often followed by on or upon.
He was required to attend upon the committee.
With to) To take charge of; to look after; as, to attend to a matter of business.
To wait; to stay; to delay.
For this perfection she must yet attend,Till to her Maker she espoused be.
Be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.;
She attends class regularly
I rarely attend services at my church
Did you go to the meeting?
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
To accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result;
Menuhin's playing was attended by a 15-minute standing ovation
Work for or be a servant to;
May I serve you?
She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
Can you wait on our table, please?
Is a salesperson assisting you?
The minister served the King for many years
Give heed (to);
The children in the audience attended the recital quietly
She hung on his every word
They attended to everything he said
To pay attention to something.
Please attend to the speaker.
To accompany or go with someone.
She will attend the mayor at the ceremony.
Attend Meaning in a Sentence
Will you attend my wedding next month?
Many celebrities attend the Oscars each year.
Parents are encouraged to attend the open house.
He decided to attend the local university.
She was honored to attend the dinner hosted by the ambassador.
It's important to attend school every day.
They flew to France to attend a fashion show.
You must attend the safety briefing before starting work.
We have a meeting to attend to discuss the new project.
Please attend to your chores before going out.
To attend a concert, you often need to buy tickets in advance.
They had to attend a family emergency and couldn't come to the party.
Can someone attend to the customer at the front desk?
It's difficult to attend events when you have a busy schedule.
Attend to your responsibilities before taking on new projects.
Please make sure to attend all scheduled doctor's appointments.
The conference attracts people who attend from all over the world.
I can't attend the meeting in person, but I'll join via video call.
Attend Idioms & Phrases
Attend the school of hard knocks
To learn life's lessons through difficult experiences rather than formal education.
He never went to college but attended the school of hard knocks and became very successful.
Attend to the matter at hand
To deal with the current issue or problem.
The manager asked his team to attend to the matter at hand before the end of the day.
Attend to every detail
To pay careful attention to every aspect of something.
The event planner made sure to attend to every detail, ensuring a perfect wedding day.
Attend to someone's needs
To take care of or serve someone.
The nurse attended to the patient's needs throughout the night.
Attend a function
To go to an event such as a party, wedding, or official ceremony.
She was excited to attend a function at the embassy.
Attend upon
To be present in order to help or serve.
The squire would attend upon the knight during tournaments.
Attend to one's duties
To carry out one's responsibilities.
Despite the distractions, he attended to his duties as a lifeguard.
Attend with care
To handle or deal with something carefully.
The conservator attended with care to the restoration of the ancient manuscript.
A call to attend
An invitation or a requirement to be present.
The sudden crisis was a call to attend for all emergency services personnel.
Attend in person
To be physically present somewhere.
While many opted for virtual attendance, she chose to attend in person.
To attend one's own business
To mind or take care of one's own affairs.
He made it a point to attend his own business before offering advice to others.
Failure to attend
Not being present when expected.
Failure to attend the mandatory meeting may result in disciplinary action.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Attend?
Either “a” or “the” can be used based on context.
Which preposition is used with Attend?
To (attend to) or at (attend at).
What is the verb form of Attend?
Attend.
What is the plural form of Attend?
Not applicable as "attend" is a verb.
Why is it called Attend?
It is called "attend" from the Latin “attendere” meaning to stretch toward, pay attention.
What is the singular form of Attend?
Attend (as it’s a verb, it doesn’t have a singular form per se).
What is the root word of Attend?
Attendere (Latin).
What is the pronunciation of Attend?
/əˈtɛnd/
Which conjunction is used with Attend?
Various conjunctions can be used depending on the sentence.
Is Attend a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
Is Attend a vowel or consonant?
It is a word, thus neither.
Is Attend a countable noun?
It is not a noun.
What is another term for Attend?
Go to.
What is the first form of Attend?
Attend.
Is Attend a noun or adjective?
Verb.
Is Attend a collective noun?
No.
Is the Attend term a metaphor?
No.
Is the word “Attend” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It’s a verb, so it doesn’t act as an object.
What part of speech is Attend?
Verb.
Which determiner is used with Attend?
Determiners are not typically used directly with verbs.
Is Attend an abstract noun?
No.
Is the word Attend a Gerund?
Attending can be a gerund.
How do we divide Attend into syllables?
At-tend.
What is the opposite of Attend?
Absent.
Is the word Attend imperative?
It can be used in the imperative mood.
How is Attend used in a sentence?
"Many people are expected to attend the concert."
Which article is used with Attend?
Can use either "a" or "the" based on context.
Is Attend an adverb?
No.
How many syllables are in Attend?
Two.
What is a stressed syllable in Attend?
Tend.
What is the second form of Attend?
Attended.
What is the third form of Attend?
Attended.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
