Attach vs Secure

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Attach

Top 1,000 (very common) B1 verb

Secure

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 verb

	Attach	Secure
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/əˈtætʃ/","/əˈtætʃɪz/","/əˈtætʃt/","/əˈtætʃɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈtætʃ/","/əˈtætʃɪz/","/əˈtætʃt/","/əˈtætʃɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/sɪˈkjʊə(r)/","/sɪˈkjʊəz/","/sɪˈkjʊəd/","/sɪˈkjʊərɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/sɪˈkjʊr/","/sɪˈkjʊrz/","/sɪˈkjʊrd/","/sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	to connect or fasten something to another thing	To make safe or protect something.
Example	Please attach the document to your email before sending it.	We need to secure the doors before we leave for the night.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B1	B2
Part of speech	verb	verb
Collocations	firmly, securely, loosely, to	easily, safely, eventually, be able to, manage to, fail to, an attempt to secure something, an effort to secure something, be aimed at securing something, firmly, properly, tightly, to, with
Antonyms	detach, remove	danger, unsecure, risk
Common mistakes	Confused with 'detach' – forgetting to use the right prefix., Using 'attaching' incorrectly in passive constructions., Not following with an object, e.g., 'attach to' instead of 'attach the document to'.	Confused with 'ensure' - 'ensure' means to make sure something happens., Using 'secured' as an adjective when it should be a verb., Misplacing the emphasis on the second syllable.
Usage notes	Use 'attach' for both physical and abstract connections, like emails or documents. Less common in very formal writing. Avoid with informal language unless using slang.	Used to indicate making something safe, but can also mean to obtain or achieve something. More common in formal contexts when referring to safety and in neutral situations for obtaining.

See it in real clips

Well, we got the beachhead secure.

We're secure. I want a floor-by-floor search of the entire building.

Well, we got the beachhead secure.

We're secure. I want a floor-by-floor search of the entire building.

Secure

Frequently asked questions: Attach vs Secure

What's the difference between Attach and Secure?

Attach: to connect or fasten something to another thing Secure: To make safe or protect something.

Which is more advanced: Attach and Secure?

Secure is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Attach and Secure the same CEFR level?

Attach: B1, Secure: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Attach and Secure?

Attach: verb, Secure: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Attach: Please attach the document to your email before sending it. Secure: We need to secure the doors before we leave for the night.

Can I use Attach and Secure interchangeably?

Not always. Attach and Secure are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.