What is attend? Pronunciation and usage in English

attend means . Learn how to pronounce and use attend through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of attend

attendverb

/əˈtɛnd/
Definition & pronunciation of attend

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "attend" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /əˈtend/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. əˈtend
    • ə (first syllable): This is a schwa sound – a very short, relaxed "uh" sound. Think of how you pronounce "a" in the word "about." It's almost silent.
    • ˈtend (second syllable): This is where the emphasis (stress) is. The "t" is pronounced clearly. The "en" part sounds like "end" - the "e" sound is short.

Here’s a more descriptive explanation for English speakers:

  • Think “a-tend”: Many people naturally say it like “a-tend”. However, the first syllable is much shorter and weaker.
  • Emphasis on the second syllable: You want to give the "tend" part a bit more force.
  • Don’t over-emphasize the "t": The "t" is often quite subtle.

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Google: Simply type "how to pronounce attend" into Google and you'll get audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/attend/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce attend" on YouTube - you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Common Mistakes:

  • Over-emphasizing the first syllable: This makes it sound like "a-tend" rather than "at-tend".
  • Pronouncing the "t" strongly: It's almost a subtle tap of the tongue.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?
  • Focus on a specific aspect of the pronunciation (e.g., the schwa sound)?

Usage and examples with the word attend in English

Let's break down how to use the word "attend" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, but they all revolve around the idea of being present or participating.

1. To be Present at an Event or Meeting:

  • Most Common Use: This is the most frequent way "attend" is used. It means to be present at an event, meeting, or gathering.
    • Example: “I will attend the conference next week.” (meaning you'll go and be there)
    • Example: “She attended the wedding ceremony.” (meaning she was present at the wedding)
    • Example: “He needs to attend the staff meeting.” (meaning he needs to be present for the meeting)

2. To Study at a School or University:

  • "Attend" can also mean to regularly go to a school or university to study.
    • Example: “I attend Harvard University.” (meaning you are a student there and regularly go to classes)
    • Example: “He decided to attend a community college.” (meaning he chose to go to a community college)

3. To Pay Attention To (Less Common, More Formal):

  • In a more formal or literary sense, "attend" can mean to pay attention to something or to focus on it. This usage is less common in everyday conversation.
    • Example: “The lawyers attended carefully to the details of the contract.” (meaning they paid very close attention)
    • Example: “The audience attended his lecture with great interest.” (meaning they listened intently)

4. As a Verb in the Passive Voice (Rare):

  • “She was attended by a doctor.” (Meaning she was looked after by a doctor.) – This is less common than the active forms.

Key Phrases & Structures:

  • Attend to: This is a very common phrase meaning “to pay attention to” or “to deal with.”

    • Example: “Please attend to your work.” (Pay attention to your work.)
    • Example: "She had to attend to the emergency.” (Deal with the emergency.)

  • Attend an event/meeting/class: This is the standard structure.

    • Example: “I’m attending an art exhibition this weekend.”

  • Attend school/college/university: As explained above.

Here's a table summarizing the main uses:

Use Meaning Example
Main Use Be present at an event I will attend the party.
School Study at a school He attends Oxford University.
Attention Pay attention to something The teacher attended carefully.
Verb (Passive) To be looked after She was attended by the nurse.

To help me give you more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you trying to use "attend" in? (e.g., a sentence about a meeting, a sentence about school, etc.)

Synonyms for the word attend

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