What is attendance? Pronunciation and usage in English

attendance means . Learn how to pronounce and use attendance through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of attendance

attendancenoun

/əˈtɛnd(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of attendance

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "attendance." Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /əˈtenˌdəns/ (uh-TEN-duns)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • əˈten: This part sounds like "uh-ten."
    • ə (the first sound) is a short, unstressed “uh” sound, like in the word “about.”
    • ten rhymes with “pen.”
  • ˌdən: This part is “dunn.” It's pronounced with a clear "d" sound, not a "th."
  • ˌsens: This part is "sens." It's similar to the word "sense," but often a bit shorter and more clipped.

Here's a more detailed breakdown with phonetic symbols (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • ə - schwa sound (like the "a" in "about")
  • ten - as in "ten"
  • dən - as in "done"
  • sens - as in "sense"

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The emphasis is on the second syllable ("TEN"). That's why it's "uh-TEN-duns," not "uh-TEN-dens."
  • “t” sound: Make sure you pronounce the "t" in "ten." It's not silent.
  • "d" sound: Clear “d” in “dunn.”
  • "s" sound: Short, quick “sens.”

Resources to hear it:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce attendance" on Google and you'll find audio pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/attendance/ - This site lets you hear how native speakers pronounce words.

Would you like me to:

  • Record myself saying it?
  • Give you some more example words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word attendance in English

Let's break down how to use the word "attendance" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its common uses and how to incorporate it into your speech and writing:

1. Basic Meaning: Presence or Record of Presence

At its core, "attendance" refers to the act of being present or the record of how many people are present.

  • Example: "Good attendance is crucial for success in this class." (Meaning: having a lot of students regularly present)
  • Example: "The school keeps a record of student attendance." (Meaning: they track who shows up)

2. Common Uses & Phrases

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how it's used, categorized for clarity:

  • School/Education: This is the most frequent context.

    • Student Attendance: “The teacher noted the student’s poor attendance.” - Focuses on an individual’s habitual absence.
    • Class Attendance: “We track class attendance to make sure everyone is engaged.” - Refers to who shows up for a specific class.
    • School Attendance: “The school district is concerned about declining school attendance.” - Refers to the overall pattern of students being present at the school.
    • Absenteeism: A related term, meaning "being away from school or work." "High absenteeism can hurt a student's grades."

  • Meetings & Events:

    • Meeting Attendance: "Please bring your meeting attendance form to the next session." – This means bring a record of who attended.
    • Event Attendance: "The attendance at the concert was phenomenal!" (Meaning: a large number of people attended).
    • Turnout: Often used interchangeably with attendance, especially for events. “The turnout for the charity gala was impressive.”

  • Workplace:

    • Employee Attendance: "We need to address the issues with employee attendance." – This could refer to regular hours, being on time, or taking absences. (Often linked to "punctuality")
    • Timekeeping: "Accurate timekeeping ensures proper records of employee attendance."

  • General Usage (Less Common): Sometimes, “attendance” can be used a bit more broadly to mean “occupation” or “activity,” but this is less common and can sound a bit archaic.

    • “His attendance at the church was regular.” (Meaning: he frequently attended church) - Be careful with this one – you might be better off saying “he regularly attended church.”

3. Grammatical Notes

  • Noun: “Attendance” is primarily a noun (a thing). You’ll most often see it used as “the attendance.”
  • Verb (Less Common): "Attend" is the verb form (an action). “I will attend the meeting.” “He attended the conference.”

4. Useful Phrases Related to Attendance

  • To be present at...: “She was present at the hearing.”
  • To record attendance: "The secretary recorded attendance."
  • To take attendance: "The teacher takes attendance at the beginning of class."
  • Regular attendance: "Maintaining regular attendance is important."
  • Perfect attendance: "The students were awarded for perfect attendance."

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you trying to use "attendance" in? (e.g., school, work, a general conversation?)

Synonyms for the word attendance

Idioms of the word attendance

be in attendance
(formal)to be present at a special event
  • Several heads of state were in attendance at the funeral.
be in attendance (on somebody)
(formal)to be with or near somebody in order to help them if necessary
  • He always has at least two bodyguards in attendance.
  • The ambulances were in attendance within 22 minutes.
dance attendance on somebody
(British English, formal)to be with somebody and do things to help and please them
    take attendance
    (North American English)to check who is present and who is not present at a place and to mark this information on a list of names
    • Mrs Sakamoto had finished taking attendance.

    Practice with vocabulary attendance

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Students are expected to maintain a high level of _____________ throughout the semester to ensure academic success.
    2. Consistent _____________ is highly valued in our company culture; please ensure you arrive on time for all scheduled shifts.
    3. The board meeting's official _____________ record showed that only three out of ten members were present.
    4. Active _____________ in group discussions can significantly enhance your learning experience and critical thinking skills.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following are typically recorded by an institution or employer to track an individual's presence at scheduled events? A) Attendance B) Participation C) Punctuality D) Presence

    2. Which sentence uses "attendance" correctly in an academic context? A) High attendance ensures students submit assignments on time. B) The professor emphasized that regular attendance is crucial for understanding the course material. C) Your attendance certificate shows your performance in the exam. D) They improved their attendance by studying harder.

    3. What measures might an organization take to improve poor employee attendance? A) Offer flexible work arrangements B) Implement stricter disciplinary actions C) Provide incentives for perfect attendance D) Conduct a survey on employee satisfaction

    4. Maintaining strict _____________ is essential for operational efficiency, especially for roles with fixed start times. A) Attendance B) Punctuality C) Commitment D) Adherence

    5. Active _____________ in the team meeting can lead to more innovative solutions and better problem-solving. A) Attendance B) Presence C) Participation D) Observation

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: Many students did not come to the lecture, which negatively affected their grades. Rewrite using "attendance":

    2. Original: Employees are required to be present at all mandatory training sessions. Rewrite using a related word form of "attendance":

    3. Original: The number of people who showed up for the workshop was surprisingly high. Rewrite without using "attendance" or related forms:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. attendance
    2. punctuality
    3. attendance
    4. participation

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. A) Attendance, D) Presence
    2. B) The professor emphasized that regular attendance is crucial for understanding the course material.
    3. A) Offer flexible work arrangements, B) Implement stricter disciplinary actions, C) Provide incentives for perfect attendance, D) Conduct a survey on employee satisfaction
    4. B) Punctuality
    5. C) Participation

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Poor attendance at the lecture negatively affected many students' grades.
    2. Employees are required to attend all mandatory training sessions.
    3. The turnout for the workshop was surprisingly high.

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