Attached Is vs. Attached Are – Which is Correct?

The choice between “attached is” and “attached are” depends entirely on the number of items being attached. Use “attached is” when referring to a single item (singular subject), and “attached are” when referring to multiple items (plural subject), adhering to standard subject-verb agreement.

Attached Is or Attached Are – Which is Correct?

Both “attached is” and “attached are” are grammatically correct in American English; the distinction lies in subject-verb agreement. The word “attached” functions as a participial adjective, describing the noun or nouns that follow it (or precede it in a different sentence structure). The verb that follows (“is” or “are”) must agree in number with the actual subject of the sentence.

When you say “Attached is the report,” “report” is the singular subject, so “is” is correct. When you say “Attached are the documents,” “documents” is the plural subject, so “are” is correct. The common mistake is to overlook the true subject, especially in inverted sentence structures where “attached” comes first.

Similarly, understanding the correct usage of Here Are vs. Here Is also relies on correctly identifying the subject in inverted constructions.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The best trick is to identify the true subject of the sentence. Mentally rephrase the sentence to put the subject first.

• If you can rephrase it as “The [singular noun] is attached,” then use “attached is.”
• If you can rephrase it as “The [plural noun] are attached,” then use “attached are.”

For example:

• “Attached is the invoice.” (The invoice is attached.) – Singular subject “invoice”
• “Attached are the invoices.” (The invoices are attached.) – Plural subject “invoices”

Phrase	Context	Meaning	Example
attached is	Used with a singular subject	A single item is enclosed or joined.	Attached is the updated resume.
attached are	Used with a plural subject	Multiple items are enclosed or joined.	Attached are the relevant documents.

How to Use Attached Is

Use “attached is” when the noun or pronoun that is being attached is singular. This construction is often used in formal communication, such as emails or letters, to indicate that a document or file is included with the message. It’s a concise way to present information without directly using “Please find…”

Example 1: Attached is the final report for your review.

Example 2: For your convenience, attached is a map to the event venue.

Example 3: Attached is the only photograph we have from the expedition.

Etymology of the word Attached Is

The word “attached” comes from Old French attacher, meaning “to fasten, fix, tie.” This in turn derived from a combination of a- (to) and a Germanic root akin to Frankish *stakon (a stake, post). Over time, its meaning expanded to include joining or connecting, especially in a documentary sense. “Is” is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb “to be,” originating from Proto-Germanic *isti and ultimately Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésti. The phrase “attached is” combines the participial adjective with the singular form of “to be” to indicate the state of a singular item.

How to Use Attached Are

Use “attached are” when the noun or pronoun being referred to is plural. Like “attached is,” this phrase is common in professional contexts to direct attention to multiple accompanying files or documents. It maintains a formal and direct tone, clearly indicating the presence of several items.

Example 1: Attached are the quarterly financial statements.

Example 2: Please note that attached are three separate appendices for the proposal.

Example 3: Attached are the meeting minutes from our last two sessions.

Etymology of the word Attached Are

The etymology of “attached” remains the same as previously discussed, rooted in the Old French attacher meaning “to fasten.” “Are” is the second-person singular and plural, and first-person, second-person, and third-person plural present tense form of the verb “to be.” It evolved from Old English earun, earon, aron, influenced by Old Norse eru. When combined in “attached are,” it signifies the state of multiple items being joined or enclosed, maintaining subject-verb agreement with a plural subject.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammar concepts can solidify your grasp of when to use “attached is” versus “attached are.”

• Subject-Verb Agreement: This fundamental grammatical rule dictates that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. In phrases like “attached is/are,” the verb (“is” or “are”) must match the noun that is actually being attached, not the word “attached” itself.
• Inverted Sentences: An inverted sentence is one where the subject comes after the verb, rather than before it. “Attached is/are…” is a classic example of an inverted sentence. In such cases, it’s crucial to identify the true subject that follows the verb to ensure correct agreement.

Examples from Media and Literature

While direct quotes of “attached is/are” from classic literature are rare due to its formal, administrative nature, the construction is prevalent in professional and technical writing. Here are some illustrative examples:

• “In your email, you mentioned that attached is the revised budget, but I don’t see it.” (Business correspondence)
• “The journalist stated, ‘For immediate release, attached is the official press statement regarding the incident.'” (News release context)
• “According to the instructions, attached are the necessary forms for permit application, along with a detailed guide.” (Government website instructions)
• “The architect confirmed, ‘Attached are the blueprints for the new wing, including all structural details and material specifications.'” (Architectural firm communication)
• “Please note that attached is a supplementary document containing additional data points not included in the main report.” (Academic paper submission)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. For your reference, attached _____ the complete list of attendees.
2. Please review; attached _____ the updated policy document.
3. You’ll find that attached _____ two different proposals for your consideration.
4. The client requested that attached _____ the signed contract.
5. If you look closely, attached _____ several photographs from the event.

Answer Key

1. are
2. is
3. are
4. is
5. are

Attached Is/Are Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Included	Contained within something larger or as part of a group.
Enclosed	Placed or kept inside a container or envelope.
Appended	Added as a supplement or an attachment to a document.
Affixed	Fastened or secured to something else.
Accompanying	Present or occurring with something else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: When should I use “Please find attached is/are” versus “Attached is/are”?
“Please find attached” is a more traditional and somewhat wordy phrase. While grammatically permissible (e.g., “Please find attached the report”), it’s often considered less direct than “Attached is/are.” Modern business communication often prefers the more concise “Attached is/are” or simply stating “The report is attached.” The choice between “is” and “are” still depends on the number of items being attached.

Question 2: Is “attached please find” grammatically correct?
“Attached please find” is grammatically correct and functions similarly to “Please find attached.” It’s an older, more formal construction that places emphasis on the attached item by putting “attached” first. While understandable, it’s also becoming less common in favor of more direct phrasing like “Attached is the document” or “I have attached the document.”

Question 3: Can I use “here is/are attached” instead?
Yes, “here is attached” and “here are attached” are perfectly acceptable alternatives. They function in the same way as “attached is” and “attached are,” with “here” simply emphasizing the location. For example, “Here is attached the agenda” (singular) or “Here are attached the photos” (plural).

Conclusion

The distinction between “attached is” and “attached are” boils down to a fundamental rule of English grammar: subject-verb agreement. Always ensure that the verb (“is” or “are”) matches the number of the noun it refers to, even when the sentence structure is inverted. By identifying the true subject—whether it’s a single document or multiple files—you can confidently choose the correct phrase.

Pro Tip: In professional correspondence, using the correct form demonstrates attention to detail and reinforces your credibility. A quick mental check of the subject’s number before sending your email or document can prevent common grammatical errors.