Connect vs. Attach

'Connect' and 'attach' are synonyms but they differ in the direction of the action they indicate and are also grammatically different.

What is the difference between 'connect' and 'attach'?

Both 'connect' and 'attach' mean to link or join two or more things. However, 'connect' is a reciprocal verb that indicates two objects are mutually joined while 'attach' implies that a secondary object is joined to a more important object. Follow the lesson to find out how the two verbs differ in their scope of usage.

Direction of Action

'Connect' is a reciprocal verb, which means that two objects that 'connect' to each other are of equal value, size, etc. and the act of connecting is mutually performed or received between them. 'Attach' on the other hand, indicates a one-sided relationship where one object that is smaller or less important is joined or fastened to a bigger or more important object. For example:

I connected my phone to the speakers using a cable.

The train station connects the city to neighboring towns.

Here, the city and the neighboring towns are mutually connected in a two-sided relationship.

Please attach the receipt to the expense report.

Here, the receipt is a secondary object that is attached to a main object. You cannot use 'connect' in this sentences.

The carpenter attached the handle to the door

Grammatical Difference

'Connect' can be both a transitive and an intransitive verb. As such, it can describe different types of links between objects, for example, two or more things can connect to each other (intransitive), or one thing can be connected to another, sometimes through an intervening object such as a door, bridge, road, cable, etc. 'Attach', on the other hand, is always transitive and means to join or fasten one thing to another, for example using a glue, rope, etc. Here are some examples:

The puzzle pieces connect to form a beautiful picture of a sunset.

'Connect' as an intransitive verb

He connected the dots on the map to trace the route for the road trip.

'Connect' as a transitive verb

The bridge connects the two sides of the river, allowing people to cross easily.

'Connect' as a transitive verb', two things are connected through an intervening object

She attached a note to the gift to personalize it for her friend.

'Attach' is always transitive

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