The verb “attend” is a versatile word in the English language, with various forms and grammatical specifications depending on the tense being used. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricate details of how to properly use “attend” in different tenses, providing a wealth of examples and insights to help you master this essential verb.
Present Tense
In the present tense, the base form of the verb “attend” is used. This form remains unchanged regardless of the subject.
Base Form: attend
Examples:
– I attend a language class every Saturday.
– She attends a dance class every Thursday night.
– The students attend the lecture hall promptly.
– The company representatives attend the annual conference.
Past Tense
The past tense of “attend” is formed by adding the suffix “-ed” to the base form of the verb.
Simple Form: attended
Examples:
– I attended a concert last night.
– She attended the meeting last Tuesday.
– The delegates attended the summit in Paris.
– The family attended the wedding ceremony.
Past Participle
The past participle form of “attend” is also “attended,” and it is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
Form: attended
Examples:
– The meeting has been attended by representatives from all departments.
– All concerts scheduled for the summer have been attended by thousands of fans.
– The lecture had been attended by a large audience.
– The conference will have been attended by industry leaders.
Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense of “attend” is formed by using the present tense of the verb “to be” (am, are, is) followed by the present participle of “attend” (attending).
Form: am/are/is attending
Examples:
– I am attending a seminar today.
– They are attending the conference.
– The students are attending the class.
– The CEO is attending the board meeting.
Past Progressive Tense
The past progressive tense of “attend” is formed by using the past tense of the verb “to be” (was, were) followed by the present participle of “attend” (attending).
Form: was/were attending
Examples:
– I was attending a lecture yesterday.
– They were attending the meeting.
– The employees were attending the training session.
– The family was attending the funeral.
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense of “attend” is formed by using the present tense of the verb “to have” (have, has) followed by the past participle of “attend” (attended).
Form: have/has attended
Examples:
– I have attended several workshops on digital marketing.
– She has attended the annual science conference without fail.
– The organization has attended all the industry events.
– The students have attended the required classes.
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense of “attend” is formed by using the past tense of the verb “to have” (had) followed by the past participle of “attend” (attended).
Form: had attended
Examples:
– I had attended the lecture before the exam.
– They had attended the meeting before the project started.
– The team had attended the training program before the competition.
– The guests had attended the event before the venue closed.
Future Tense
The future tense of “attend” is formed by using the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the base form of the verb “attend.”
Form: will attend
Examples:
– I will attend the banquet.
– They will attend the university in the fall.
– The company representatives will attend the trade show.
– The students will attend the graduation ceremony.
Future Progressive Tense
The future progressive tense of “attend” is formed by using the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the present participle of “attend” (attending).
Form: will be attending
Examples:
– I will be attending a language class next semester.
– They will be attending the conference next year.
– The employees will be attending the training workshop.
– The family will be attending the family reunion.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense of “attend” is formed by using the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the past participle of “attend” (attended).
Form: will have attended
Examples:
– I will have attended college by the time I am 25.
– They will have attended the seminar by the end of the month.
– The organization will have attended all the industry events by the end of the year.
– The students will have attended the required classes by the end of the semester.
Common Mistakes
When using the verb “attend,” it’s important to be mindful of the following common mistakes:
- Confusing Patterns: Ensure that “attend” follows the regular verb pattern, adding “-ed” for the past simple and past participle forms.
- Incorrect Spelling: Do not double the final consonant when forming the past simple and past participle forms.
- Misuse of Past Participle: Use the past participle form with auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
Archaic Usage
In some archaic or formal contexts, “attend” can be used to mean “to wait for” or “to accompany,” but this usage is no longer common in modern English.
Special Contexts
In certain formal contexts, “attend” can also mean “to accompany” or “to be present with.” For example, “The king attended the state dinner” can imply that the king was present at the event.
Examples in Sentences
- My husband and I will both attend the banquet.
- How many people attended the baseball game?
- She attends a school in the city.
- The delegates had attended the summit before the protests began.
- The company representatives are attending the annual conference this year.
- I will have attended all the required classes by the end of the semester.
Reference:
- Merriam-Webster. (2024). Attend Definition & Meaning. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attend
- Promova. (n.d.). What is the past tense of attend? | Conjugation of attend. Retrieved from https://promova.com/past-tense-of/attend
- Writing English. (n.d.). Attend – Writing English. Retrieved from https://www.writingenglish.com/cverbs/attend.htm
- Stack Exchange. (2015). attend or attended in “He had persuaded himself that the festivities that attend this season were vulgar and barbaric”. Retrieved from https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/72652/attend-or-attended-in-he-had-persuaded-himself-that-the-festivities-that-attend
- WordReference.com. (n.d.). Conjugation of attend. Retrieved from https://www.wordreference.com/conj/enverbs.aspx?v=attend
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.