attach

attach — verb

1. to fix one object onto another so that the two stay together, using something li

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to fix one object onto another so that the two stay together, using something like glue, tape, a pin, or a screw.

例句

Mira used a small pin to attach a yellow ribbon to her jacket.

pattern: attach + object + to + surface

Please attach the price tag to the back of each shirt before the sale.

同義詞
  • fasten

    very close in meaning; suggests a mechanism like a clip or button

  • fix

    more permanent; common in British English

  • stick

    informal; usually with glue or tape

反義詞
  • detach

    direct opposite — to remove something that is fixed

  • remove

    more general

文法句型

attach + something + to + something

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or tool, and the object is something small or movable being fixed onto a larger surface. Frequently passive when describing how things are already fixed.

常見錯誤

❌I attached the poster on the wall.
✅I attached the poster to the wall.
💡the preposition is 'to', not 'on'.
❌She attached the button.
✅She attached the button to the shirt.
💡this sense usually needs both items mentioned.

2. to add a file, photo, or document to an email or message so the person receiving

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to add a file, photo, or document to an email or message so the person receiving it can open and read it on their device.

例句

Lior forgot to attach the report and had to send a second email apologising.

common workplace scenario

Please attach a copy of your passport to the application email.

pattern: attach + document + to + email

同義詞
  • enclose

    more formal; also used for physical letters

  • include

    more general; works for any kind of content

  • send along

    informal phrasal verb

文法句型

attach + file + to + email/message

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is digital and the object is always a file or document, never a physical thing. The recipient is named with 'to' (the email or message), not 'in' or 'on'.

常見錯誤

❌I attached the file in the email.
✅I attached the file to the email.
💡use 'to' for the destination message.
❌Please find attach my CV.
✅Please find attached my CV.
💡fixed phrase needs the past participle 'attached'.

3. to decide that something has a certain level of importance, value, or meaning —

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to decide that something has a certain level of importance, value, or meaning — for example, saying that a country sees education as central, or that a judge does not believe a witness's words count for much.

例句

The Watanabe family attached great importance to honesty when raising their children.

pattern: attach + importance + to + abstract noun

Voters in this town attach more value to local jobs than to national politics.

comparative use of 'more value to'

同義詞
  • ascribe

    more formal; often used in academic or legal writing

  • place

    as in 'place importance on'; uses 'on' instead of 'to'

  • give

    as in 'give weight to'; more everyday

反義詞

文法句型

attach + importance/value/significance/weight + to + something

用法筆記

The object slot is restricted to abstract nouns of evaluation: importance, value, significance, meaning, weight, blame. Distinguish from sense 1 — this is mental, not physical, and the 'thing attached' is a quality, not a label.

常見錯誤

❌He attaches the importance on family.
✅He attaches importance to family.
💡no article 'the', and the preposition is 'to'.
❌She attached meaning at his words.
✅She attached meaning to his words.
💡preposition must be 'to'.

4. to start spending time with another person or group and stay close to them, ofte

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

to start spending time with another person or group and stay close to them, often without being asked or wanted by the others.

例句

A talkative stranger attached himself to our group and followed us from bar to bar.

reflexive pattern: attach oneself to + group

Diego attached himself to the older boys at summer camp, copying everything they did.

younger person joining older group

同義詞
  • tag along

    informal phrasal verb; less negative

  • latch on to

    stronger; suggests holding on persistently

  • join

    neutral; doesn't carry the 'uninvited' nuance

反義詞

文法句型

attach + oneself + to + person/group

用法筆記

Always reflexive — use 'attach oneself to', never the simple 'attach to' for this meaning. The tone often suggests the joining is unwanted, persistent, or a little awkward, though it can be neutral.

常見錯誤

❌He attached to our group at the party.
✅He attached himself to our group at the party.
💡this sense always needs the reflexive pronoun.
❌She attached herself with our team.
✅She attached herself to our team.
💡the preposition is 'to', not 'with'.

5. for a court or other authority to take control of a person's money, salary, or p

5.動詞及物C2
釋義

for a court or other authority to take control of a person's money, salary, or property, normally because that person owes a debt and has not paid it.

例句

The court attached Mr. Lopez's wages until the unpaid child support was fully cleared.

pattern: court attaches wages

Sheriffs arrived at dawn to attach the company's bank accounts on behalf of the creditors.

subject: officer of the court

同義詞
  • seize

    more general; covers any forceful taking

  • garnish

    specifically used for wages or bank funds

  • confiscate

    official taking, often as a penalty

反義詞
  • release

    let go of seized money or property

  • return

    give back what was taken

文法句型

attach + property/wages/assets

用法筆記

Specialised legal use. Subject is almost always a court, judge, or other official body; the object is money, wages, assets, or goods. Distinguish from sense 1 — no physical fastening is involved; this is a legal action.

常見錯誤

❌The bank attached his money for the loan.
✅The court attached his money to repay the loan.
💡needs a legal authority as subject, not an ordinary creditor.
❌The judge attached on his property.
✅The judge attached his property.
💡this verb takes a direct object; no preposition needed.