attendance
C1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
The action or state of being present at an event, place, or activity.
The number of people present at an event; also, the act of regularly going to or being present at something, like school or a meeting; can also refer to a record of such presence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Attendance is primarily a non-count noun referring to the general concept or act, but can be used countably (e.g., 'good attendances') when referring to specific instances or numbers of people present. Its meaning bridges the physical act of being present and the statistical record of that act.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very minor. In UK English, 'to be in attendance' is slightly more common in formal contexts. The verb form 'attending' is universal. No spelling or significant syntactic differences.
Connotations
In both, it carries neutral to formal connotations, often associated with obligation, measurement, and record-keeping in institutional contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The frequency is high in educational, workplace, and event-management contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Attendance at [event/place]Attendance by [person/group]The attendance of [person/group]In attendance (at)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dance attendance on someone (to be obsequiously attentive)”
- “In attendance (formally present)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employee presence, meeting participation, and conference turnout, often tracked for HR purposes. E.g., 'The weekly meeting had full attendance.'
Academic
Crucial for tracking student presence, often linked to grading or eligibility. E.g., 'University policy requires 80% lecture attendance.'
Everyday
Used for events, parties, or social gatherings. E.g., 'What was the attendance like at the concert?'
Technical
In law or formal proceedings, it denotes the official presence of required persons. E.g., 'The witness was in attendance throughout the trial.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The headteacher will attend the meeting.
- Over 200 people are attending the conference.
American English
- The principal will attend the assembly.
- She attends classes regularly.
adjective
British English
- The attendance figures were published.
- We have an attendance policy.
American English
- The attendance record is impeccable.
- An attendance sheet was passed around.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My attendance at school is good.
- The teacher checks attendance every morning.
- Poor attendance can affect your final grade.
- What was the attendance at the football match?
- Despite the rain, concert attendance exceeded expectations.
- Employees must log their attendance using the new digital system.
- The minister was in attendance throughout the diplomatic proceedings.
- A sharp decline in theatre attendance has been attributed to rising ticket prices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a teacher taking the ATTEND-ANCE: they need to ATTEND to see who is in the class.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESENCE IS A MEASURABLE COMMODITY (e.g., 'boost attendance', 'attendance figures').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'attention' (внимание).
- The Russian 'аттендант' is a false friend (means attendant/steward).
- The Russian 'посещаемость' is a direct equivalent for the 'number of people' sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'attention' instead of 'attendance' (e.g., 'The teacher took attention' is wrong).
- Using it as a verb ('I attendance the class' – use 'attend').
- Confusing 'attendance' (being present) with 'attendants' (people who serve).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'attendance' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable (e.g., 'Attendance is compulsory'). However, it can be countable when referring to specific numbers or instances of people present (e.g., 'There were good attendances throughout the tour').
'Attendance' often implies a deliberate act of being present, often recorded or expected (e.g., at an event, school). 'Presence' is more general, denoting the state of being in a place, and can be more abstract (e.g., 'a calming presence').
No. The verb form is 'to attend'. 'Attendance' is solely a noun.
It is a formal phrase meaning 'present at an event or location', often in an official or service capacity. E.g., 'Several doctors were in attendance at the marathon.'
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