Enclose vs. Attach — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 4, 2024
Enclose refers to surrounding something completely, while attach involves connecting or fastening items together.
Difference Between Enclose and Attach
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Enclose typically means to surround or envelop something, making it contained within boundaries or within something else. For example, enclosing a letter in an envelope means the letter is completely contained within the envelope. On the other hand, to attach something implies connecting or fastening it to another item, but not necessarily enveloping or completely surrounding it. When you attach a document to an email, you are adding it to the email as an additional item, not surrounding the email content with the document.
Enclosing often suggests a sense of protection or making something an integral part of a larger whole. Enclosed spaces provide safety or confidentiality, like an enclosed garden that offers privacy. Whereas attaching can indicate a temporary or additional connection between two items, like attaching a tag to luggage, which can be easily removed.
In digital communications, enclosing is less commonly used but implies incorporating content within the main body, such as embedding images or text so that it forms a part of the original message. Attaching, in this context, means adding files or documents to an email as separate entities that the recipient can open independently.
In legal or formal documents, to enclose can mean to include supplementary material within the main document for reference or clarification. This is akin to appending documents but with a greater emphasis on the containment within the principal document. Attach in legal terms also refers to adding documents, but with the nuance of them being ancillary or supporting materials rather than integral parts.
Enclosing and attaching both serve to associate items with one another, but the former emphasizes containment and inclusiveness, while the latter underscores connection and addition.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
To surround or envelop completely.
To connect or fasten together.
Implication
Suggests protection or confidentiality.
Indicates a temporary or additional connection.
Usage in digital communication
Embedding content within the main body.
Adding files or documents as separate entities.
Legal documents
Including supplementary material within the main document.
Adding ancillary or supporting materials.
Connection type
Emphasizes containment and inclusiveness.
Emphasizes connection and addition.
Compare with Definitions
Enclose
To surround completely.
The high wall encloses the garden, providing privacy and security.
Attach
To connect or join one thing to another.
Attach the file to the email before sending it.
Enclose
To include something within a letter or package.
She enclosed a check within the greeting card.
Attach
To add or affix something.
She attached a note to the gift explaining its significance.
Enclose
To envelop or cover something.
The fog enclosed the city, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.
Attach
To associate or link conceptually.
He attaches great importance to his daily routine.
Enclose
To confine within a space.
The animals are enclosed in pens to keep them safe at night.
Attach
To include as a part of something larger.
The application form has a section where you can attach additional comments.
Enclose
To contain within something.
The package was enclosed in a sturdy box to prevent damage during shipping.
Attach
To fix or secure one object to another.
Attach the leg supports to the table using the screws provided.
Enclose
To surround on all sides; close in
A valley that is enclosed by rugged peaks.
Attach
To fasten, secure, or join
Attached the wires to the post.
Enclose
To fence in so as to prevent common use
Enclosed the pasture.
Attach
To connect as an adjunct or associated condition or part
Many major issues are attached to this legislation.
Enclose
To build or equip with a roof and walls
Enclosed the deck for winter use.
Attach
To affix or append; add
Attached several riders to the document.
Enclose
To contain, especially so as to envelop or shelter
"Every one of those darkly clustered houses encloses its own secret" (Charles Dickens).
Attach
To ascribe or assign
Attached no significance to the threat.
Enclose
To insert into the same envelope or package
Enclose a check with the order.
Attach
To bind by emotional ties, as of affection or loyalty
I am attached to my family.
Enclose
(transitive) to surround with a wall, fence, etc.
To enclose lands
Attach
To assign (personnel) to a military unit on a temporary basis.
Enclose
(transitive) to insert into a container, usually an envelope or package
Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope if you require a reply.
Attach
(Law) To seize (property) by legal writ.
Enclose
To inclose. See Inclose.
Attach
To add (a file) to an email.
Enclose
Enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering;
Fog enveloped the house
Attach
To adhere, belong, or relate
Very little prestige attaches to this position.
Enclose
Close in or confine
Attach
To be attached or attachable
The helmet's chin strap attaches on the side just below the ear.
Enclose
Surround completely;
Darkness enclosed him
Attach
(transitive) To fasten, to join to (literally and figuratively).
You need to attach the carabiner to your harness.
An officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship.
Enclose
Introduce;
Insert your ticket here
Attach
(intransitive) To adhere; to be attached.
Attach
To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest.
Dower will attach.
Attach
To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; with to.
Attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery
Attach
To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; with to.
To attach great importance to a particular circumstance
Attach
(obsolete) To take, seize, or lay hold of.
Attach
To arrest, seize.
Attach
To bind, fasten, tie, or connect; to make fast or join; as, to attach one thing to another by a string, by glue, or the like.
The shoulder blade is . . . attached only to the muscles.
A huge stone to which the cable was attached.
Attach
To connect; to place so as to belong; to assign by authority; to appoint; as, an officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship.
Attach
To win the heart of; to connect by ties of love or self-interest; to attract; to fasten or bind by moral influence; - with to; as, attached to a friend; attaching others to us by wealth or flattery.
Incapable of attaching a sensible man.
God . . . by various ties attaches man to man.
Attach
To connect, in a figurative sense; to ascribe or attribute; to affix; - with to; as, to attach great importance to a particular circumstance.
Top this treasure a curse is attached.
Attach
To take, seize, or lay hold of.
Attach
To take by legal authority: (a) To arrest by writ, and bring before a court, as to answer for a debt, or a contempt; - applied to a taking of the person by a civil process; being now rarely used for the arrest of a criminal. (b) To seize or take (goods or real estate) by virtue of a writ or precept to hold the same to satisfy a judgment which may be rendered in the suit. See Attachment, 4.
The earl marshal attached Gloucester for high treason.
Attach
To adhere; to be attached.
The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted.
Attach
To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest; as, dower will attach.
Attach
An attachment.
Attach
Cause to be attached
Attach
Be attached; be in contact with
Attach
Become attached;
The spider's thread attached to the window sill
Attach
Create social or emotional ties;
The grandparents want to bond with the child
Attach
Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority;
The FBI seized the drugs
The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
The police confiscated the stolen artwork
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to enclose something?
To enclose something means to surround it completely, often for protection or confidentiality.
What does it mean to attach a file to an email?
Attaching a file to an email means adding it as a separate entity that the recipient can open independently of the email content.
Is enclosing more protective than attaching?
Yes, enclosing often implies a level of protection or confidentiality by completely surrounding an item, unlike attaching.
Can I attach something without it being permanent?
Yes, attaching something often implies that it can be temporarily connected or easily removed.
What is the difference in digital communication between enclose and attach?
In digital communication, enclosing involves embedding within the main body, while attaching means adding files as separate entities.
How is attaching different from enclosing?
Attaching refers to connecting or fastening things together without necessarily surrounding them, whereas enclosing involves completely enveloping or containing something within.
Do both enclosing and attaching imply a connection?
Yes, both terms imply a form of connection, but enclosing suggests containment and inclusiveness, while attaching suggests addition.
How does attaching affect the attached items?
Attaching can provide a temporary or supplementary connection between items without altering their core properties.
Can you enclose something in an email?
In emails, enclosing typically refers to incorporating content within the body of the email, such as embedding images or text.
How do you enclose a document within another document?
You can enclose a document within another by including it as supplementary material, ensuring it is contained within the main document's boundaries.
Is attaching a form of adding?
Yes, attaching is essentially adding something to another item, making it an additional part of the whole.
Can enclosing imply creating a boundary?
Yes, enclosing often involves creating a physical or metaphorical boundary around something.
What are common scenarios for enclosing something?
Common scenarios include enclosing a letter in an envelope or containing items within a specific area for safety.
Can attaching be considered less secure than enclosing?
Depending on the context, attaching might be considered less secure than enclosing, as it often involves less comprehensive containment.
Why would someone choose to enclose rather than attach?
Someone might choose to enclose for greater protection, privacy, or to make something an integral part of a larger whole.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Disorder vs. Dysfunction
Next Comparison
Sleek vs. SmoothAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-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.
