“In The Attached” or “On The Attached” – An Easy Preposition Guide

You may find yourself struggling to use the correct phrase when writing something for someone. You may find yourself stuck on whether to use “in the attached” or whether to use “on the attached”. While both are appropriate phrases, one may be better to use than the other.

Is It “In The Attached” Or “On The Attached”?

Both “in the attached” and “on the attached” are correct. You should use “in the attached” to let the receiver know the information is inside of something. You should use “on the attached” to let the receiver know the information is on something.

Even if you’re unaware of what prepositions are, they’re used in almost everything you say and write. A preposition is a word that can change the meaning of a sentence, such as where something is, like “in” or “on” in the case of these two prepositional phrases.

Different situations call for the use of different prepositions to direct someone where to look. Determining which preposition to use can be simpler than it seems.

What Does “In The Attached” Mean?

“In the attached” means something that is inside the item you have attached for the reader to find.

The preposition determining where something is in this phrase is the word “in”. By placing “in” at the beginning of the phrase, the reader is directed to look inside of something to find the information you are giving them.

Examples Of How To Use “In The Attached” In a Sentence

Here are some examples of how the phrase “in the attached” could be used in a sentence.

• Have you looked in the attached file for the photos?
• I have sent you the information you need in the attached memo for the week.
• In the attached letter you will find a list of books I think you would very much enjoy.
• There is a spare space heater in the attached garage.
• You can watch the attached video for extra credit on the exam tomorrow
• For information on next week’s schedule, you can check the memo in the attached calendar provided.
• All the documents you should need to get started can be found in the attached file.

What Does “On The Attached” Mean?

“On the attached” means something that is an item is stuck on or attached on top of something else.

When it comes to this phrase, the preposition determining where something is attached to is the word “on”. This lets the reader know they will be looking on top of something in order to find what you have left for them.

Examples Of How To Use “On The Attached” In a Sentence

Here are several examples of how the phrase “on the attached” can be used in a sentence.

• Make sure to read the sticky note on the attached file.
• Mark the state capitals on the attached map.
• You will find a form to fill out on the attached link.
• The address can be found on the attached piece of paper.
• Can you please pick up the food on the attached grocery list?
• I left your allowance on the attached chore list.
• The ingredient list is on the attached baking recipe.

Is “In The Attached” Or “On The Attached” Used The Most?

You may find yourself wondering which of these two prepositional phrases is used the most. According to the Google Ngram Viewer, a helpful tool for comparing word usage through the years, “in the attached” is the most used of the two phrases.

Both prepositional phrases have been used for well over two hundred years, existing side by side. In the early 1840s “in the attached” became the more commonly used phrase.

The usage of “in the attached” reached its peak during the 1960s due to the use of telegrams and faxes during the Vietnam war. It has been declining since, though is still used more than “on the attached”.

Which Other Prepositions Can Be Used With “The Attached”?

“In” and “on’ are not the only prepositions that can be added to the phrase “the attached” to change its meaning. Other prepositions that can be used include “from”, “with”, “to”, “for”, “per”, and many others.

“From The Attached”

Using “from the attached” usually lets the reader know something is being received from an area that is very close to the first.

• The restaurant gets its fresh produce from the attached farmers market next door.
• The house draws power from the attached generator in the backyard.
• The headphones have been redesigned to no longer draw power from the attached battery.

“With The Attached”

“With the attached” lets your reader know that something is included with what you gave them.

• You can assemble the furniture with the attached instruction pamphlet.
• Make sure to add the names and dates with the attached photos.
• Can you mail out these postcards with the attached address stickers on them?

“To The Attached”

When you want to let your reader know that something is physically connected to something else, you can use the phrase “to the attached”.

• The battery delivers a charge to the attached cellphone or other connected devices.
• This item is more expensive due to the attached accessories.
• The bones in your leg are connected to the attached muscles and ligaments that allow you to move.

“For The Attached”

Using “for the attached” lets your reader know something is connected that gives information or provides a service for a separate area.

• The office must provide the records for the attached list of names when ordered by the court system.
• The community center bulletin board also shows the events for the attached movie theater.
• The moss acts as a water filter for the attached stream leading into the pond.

“Per The Attached”

“Per the attached” is another way to say “according to the attached”, letting your reader know that the correct information they need has been attached to something else, such as an email or memo.

• As you can see per the attached email, I included the schedule for next week.
• Per the attached memo, you will see the notes of the last meeting.
• The client wants their cake decorated as per the attached photo they emailed us.

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