What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
serve
Example
The waiter will serve us our meals shortly. [serve: verb]
Example
She has dedicated her life to serving the less fortunate. [serving: gerund or present participle]
attend
Example
I will attend the conference next week. [attend: verb]
Example
The nurse will attend to your needs shortly. [attending: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Attend is more commonly used than serve in everyday language. Attend is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while serve is less common and refers to specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between serve and attend?
Both serve and attend can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, serve may have a more subservient connotation, while attend is neutral in connotation and can be used in various formality levels.
