SpeakUp

attend a meeting — be present at a meeting

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

To go to a meeting and be there in person, usually to take part or listen.

Say it like a native

Textbook I am required to be present at a meeting this afternoon.

Native I've got a meeting this afternoon.

In speech natives often just say 'have a meeting'; 'be present at a meeting' is stiff.

Pattern: attend a meeting

In use

  • I have to attend a meeting at 10 a.m. with my team.work
  • In my previous job, I often had to attend meetings to discuss project updates and share ideas with colleagues.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ I have to attend to a meeting at 3.

✓ I have to attend a meeting at 3.

'Attend a meeting' (no 'to'). 'Attend TO' means deal with — a different meaning.

Common collocations

  • attend a meeting — a meeting, a conference, in person, a session

Don't confuse it

'Go to a meeting' is more casual; 'attend a meeting' is more formal and common in work or academic contexts.

Practice speaking with instant AI feedback →