Reading Theme:
Attend: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：be present at (attend)
attend
/əˈtend/
v.
to go to and be present at a place, event, or meeting.
be present at
➕
/ˌbiː ˈpreznt æt/
v.
To be physically present at a specific location for an event, meeting, class, or gathering.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'attendere' ('ad-' (toward) + 'tendere' (stretch)). Literally 'to stretch toward', implying to give attention.
💡 Mnemonic
At ten, I attend the meeting. (Links the word's sound to a specific time for an action).
📖 Example
Over three hundred students attend the weekly science seminar at our university.
Over three hundred students are present at the weekly science seminar at our university.
🔗 Collocations
attend a meeting – to be present and participate in a formal gathering for discussion
attend school – to go to an educational institution regularly for learning
attend a ceremony – to be present at a formal event marking a special occasion
🔄 Synonyms
participate in (v.) – To take part in an activity or event, implying more active involvement.
go to (v.) – A more casual phrase for moving to and being at a place or event.
be at (v.) – A simple phrase indicating one's presence at a location or event.
🚫 Antonyms
miss (v.) – To fail to be present at or to experience an event.
skip (v.) – To intentionally not attend or participate in something.
absent from (adj.) – Not present at a place where one is expected to be.
🌱 Derivatives
attendance (n.) – The act or fact of attending, or the number of people present.
attendant (n.) – A person employed to provide a service to the public, often in a specific place.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'attend' entered English via Old French from Latin 'attendere', meaning 'to give heed to'. This root sense of 'directing one's mind or efforts towards something' evolved into the modern meanings of being physically present at an event or mentally caring for a task or person.
Meaning 2：take care of (attend)
attend
/əˈtend/
v.
to take care of someone, especially someone who is sick or needs help. Or to deal with something.
take care of
➕
/teɪk ˈkeər ɒv/
v.
To look after, help, or deal with the needs of a person, especially someone ill, or to manage a task or matter.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The nurse will attend to your grandmother regularly and make sure she takes her medicine on time.
The nurse will take care of your grandmother regularly and make sure she takes her medicine on time.
🔗 Collocations
attend to a patient – to provide medical care and assistance to someone who is sick
attend to the details – to carefully handle or manage the small but important aspects of a task
attend to one's needs – to look after or fulfill the requirements of a person
🔄 Synonyms
look after (v.) – To take care of or be responsible for someone or something.
tend to (v.) – To care for or apply one's attention to, often used in medical or service contexts.
care for (v.) – To provide the things that someone needs, especially for their health or protection.
🚫 Antonyms
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