Present vs. Attend: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Present" often refers to being in a particular place or the act of introducing something, while "attend" usually means being present at an event or location as a participant or spectator. Both imply being in a location but differ in purpose and involveme
Key Differences
"Present" is a versatile word; it can denote the act of showing, giving, or introducing, and it can also mean being in a specific place. For example, one can present a gift or an idea. When used as a verb, it implies the act of offering or displaying something to others. In contrast, "attend" primarily means to go to or be present at an event, location, or function, usually implying participation or observation. Attendees are those who go to an event, meeting, or class, marking their presence there.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
When someone is "present" in a location, it simply denotes their existence in that place, without necessarily specifying their level of participation or engagement. They might be there in a passive role, without active involvement. "Attend," however, often conveys a sense of participation or engagement, suggesting that the person is there for a purpose, whether to learn, watch, or contribute, indicating a level of commitment or intention to the occasion or event.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
In terms of grammar, both "present" and "attend" serve as verbs, but they have different connotations and uses. "Present" can be transitive, requiring a direct object, as in presenting an award. It can also be intransitive, focusing on being present in a location. Conversely, "attend" is usually intransitive, often used with prepositions like "to" and "at," focusing on being present at an event or function with a sense of participation or observation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
"Present" also has various meanings and uses apart from indicating location; it can refer to the current time, and it can be a noun denoting a gift. In its multifaceted usage, it covers a range of contexts and situations, making it a flexible word in English. "Attend," while not as versatile, holds significance in contexts involving participation and presence, especially in formal settings like meetings, conferences, and educational sessions, illustrating purposeful presence.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 24, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Purpose
Denotes being in a place or the act of giving or introducing.
Implies being present with participation or observation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Usage
Multifaceted, used in various contexts.
More specific to events or functions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Involvement
Does not necessarily imply participation.
Often implies participation or engagement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Present and Attend Definitions
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Present
A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
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Present
Presents(Law) The document or instrument in question
Be it known by these presents.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result
The speech was attended by wild applause.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Pre·sent (prĭ-zĕnt) The position of a rifle or other weapon when presented.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To listen to (something or someone); to pay attention to; regard; heed.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Being at hand or in attendance
Thirty guests were present at the ceremony.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
(intransitive) To turn one's consideration (to); to deal with (a task, problem, concern etc.), to look after.
Secretaries attend to correspondence.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Now being considered; actually here or involved
The present subject.
Present company excepted.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
(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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(Grammar) Designating a verb tense or form that expresses current time.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
(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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To be present with; to accompany; to be united or consequent to.
A measure attended with ill effects
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or display
The detective presented his badge.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To afford or furnish
The situation presented us with a chance to improve our knowledge.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To turn or position in the direction of another
Presented his face to the camera.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(Immunology) To display (an antigen) on the cell surface. Used especially of cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells, where the displayed antigen activates T cells as part of an immune response.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To be present at; as, to attend church, school, a concert, a business meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To represent or depict in a certain manner
The movie presents bankers as greedy and coldhearted.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To wait for; to await; to remain, abide, or be in store for.
The state that attends all men after this.
Three days I promised to attend my doom.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To hold, carry, or point (a weapon) in a particular manner as a salutation or sign of honor, usually along the center axis of the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
With to) To take charge of; to look after; as, to attend to a matter of business.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To wait; to stay; to delay.
For this perfection she must yet attend,Till to her Maker she espoused be.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To be evident or manifest. Used of a disease or condition
How Lyme disease presents in its later stages.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To exhibit symptoms or signs during a medical examination
The patient presented with headache and heel pain.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
To accompany as a circumstance or follow as a result;
Menuhin's playing was attended by a 15-minute standing ovation
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Relating to now, for the time being; current.
The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
The present manager has been here longer than the last one.
Up to the present day.
The present manager has been here longer than the last one.
Up to the present day.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Located in the immediate vicinity.
Is there a doctor present?
Several people were present when the event took place.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Attend
Give heed (to);
The children in the audience attended the recital quietly
She hung on his every word
They attended to everything he said
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(obsolete) Having an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Relating to something a person is referring to in the very context, with a deictic use similar to the demonstrative adjective this.
In the present study,
The present article,
The present results.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Attentive; alert; focused.
Sorry, I was distracted just now, I'll try to be more present from now on.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(military) The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
To stand at present
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.
To present an envoy to the king
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To charge (a person) with a crime or accusation; to bring before court.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(reflexive) To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To put on, stage (a play etc.).
The theater is proud to present the Fearless Fliers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To point (a firearm) at something, to hold (a weapon) in a position ready to fire.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(reflexive) To offer oneself for mental consideration; to occur to the mind.
Well, one idea does present itself.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To come to the attention of medical staff, especially with a specific symptom.
The patient presented with insomnia.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To appear (in a specific way) for delivery (of a fetus); to appear first at the mouth of the uterus during childbirth.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To appear or represent oneself (as having a certain gender).
At that time, Elbe was presenting as a man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To act as presenter on (a radio, television programme etc.).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To give a gift or presentation to (someone).
She was presented with an honorary degree for her services to entertainment.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(transitive) To deliver (something abstract) as though as a gift; to offer.
I presented my compliments to Lady Featherstoneshaw.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To display one's female genitalia in a way that signals to others that one is ready for copulation. Also referred to as lordosis behaviour.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
(fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, to have one's secondary sex (alpha, omega, or beta) become apparent, typically at puberty.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; - opposed to absent.
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance.
I'll bring thee to the present business
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident.
An ambassador . . . desires a present audience.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Favorably attentive; propitious.
To find a god so present to my prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present.
Past and present, wound in one.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, " Know all men by these presents," that is, by the writing itself, " per has literas praesentes; " - in this sense, rarely used in the singular.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance.
Lectorides's memory is ever . . . presenting him with the thoughts of other persons.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.
So ladies in romance assist their knight,Present the spear, and arm him for the fight.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.
My last, least offering, I present thee now.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts.
Octavia presented the poet for him admirable elegy on her son Marcellus.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
The patron of a church may present his clerk to a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; - said of a part of an infant during labor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
The period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech;
That is enough for the present
He lives in the present with no thought of tomorrow
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
A verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Show or demonstrate something to an interested audience;
She shows her dogs frequently
We will demo the new software in Washington
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Bring forward and present to the mind;
We presented the arguments to him
We cannot represent this knowledge to our formal reason
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Perform (a play), especially on a stage;
We are going to stage `Othello'
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Give as a present; make a gift of;
What will you give her for her birthday?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Deliver (a speech, oration, or idea);
The commencement speaker presented a forceful speech that impressed the students
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Cause to come to know personally;
Permit me to acquaint you with my son
Introduce the new neighbors to the community
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Represent in a painting, drawing, sculpture, or verbally;
The father is portrayed as a good-looking man in this painting
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize;
We confronted him with the evidence
He was faced with all the evidence and could no longer deny his actions
An enormous dilemma faces us
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Recognize with a gesture prescribed by a miltary regulation; assume a prescribed position;
When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration;
The present leader
Articles for present use
The present topic
The present system
Present observations
Time past
His youth is past
This past Thursday
The past year
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
Spatial sense; being or existing in a specified place;
The murderer is present in this room
Present at the wedding
Present at the creation
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 08, 2023
Present
To introduce formally or officially.
I present to you our guest speaker.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
Present
To offer for consideration or action.
The lawyer will present new evidence.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
FAQs
Does "attend" imply participation?
Yes, "attend" often implies participation or observation at an event or function.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can "present" also mean to introduce something?
Yes, "present" can mean to introduce or show something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can "attend" also mean to take care of?
Yes, "attend" can mean to take care of, as in attending to a patient.
Janet White
Sep 24, 2023
Does "present" require a direct object?
When used as a verb to mean introducing or giving, "present" usually requires a direct object.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Is "present" a versatile word in English?
Absolutely, "present" has various meanings and can be a verb, adjective, or noun.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
Is "attend" only used for events?
Mostly, "attend" refers to being present at events, but it can also mean paying attention or taking care of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can "present" refer to being in a place?
Yes, "present" can denote being in a specific location.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can "present" be used as a noun?
Yes, "present" can be used as a noun to mean a gift.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
Can "present" be used as an adjective?
Yes, "present" can be used as an adjective to describe existing or occurring now.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Does "attend" require a direct object?
"Attend" is usually intransitive and does not require a direct object.
Harlon Moss
Sep 24, 2023
Can "present" refer to the current time?
Yes, "present" can refer to the current time, as in "the present moment."
Aimie Carlson
Sep 24, 2023
Does "present" have a formal connotation when introducing someone?
Yes, "present" often has a formal connotation when used to introduce someone officially.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Can "attend" refer to paying attention?
Yes, "attend" can also mean to pay attention to something.
Sara Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Can "attend" be used to mean accompanying someone?
Yes, "attend" can mean to accompany or escort someone.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
Can "attend" mean going regularly to a place?
Yes, "attend" can refer to going regularly to a place like a class or a church.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 24, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
