I was in attendance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was in attendance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you were present at an event or gathering. Example: "During the conference, I was in attendance to hear the keynote speaker's presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was in attendance when Carl Braun set a league scoring record for a game with 47 points.

The New York Times

He and Nick Hurd, the minister for civil society, previewed the forthcoming Big Society Bank at an event held in JP Morgan's City offices this afternoon, where I was in attendance.

The Economist

"We say Gisele delivered her own baby but I was in attendance," said Deborah Allen, a midwife in Cambridge, Mass., who, along with Mayra Calvette, a Brazilian midwife, was present at the birth.

The New York Times

I was in attendance for the first show at Disney World and the drones are a wonderful alternative to fireworks.

TechCrunch

I was in attendance, and know Alaskans were taking this to heart.

Huffington Post

I was in attendance at Friday night's show and no one raised a fuss, just lots of gasps, giggles and guffaws.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The live production of "High School Musical" played preview dates in Detroit and Philadelphia before opening officially here in Chicago at the LaSalle Bank Theater, where it plays through Sept. 2. As a chronicler of the theatrical theology, journalistic duty required that I be in attendance.

The New York Times

So the Dodgers have a news conference to introduce Zaidi and he opens it by asking if I'm in attendance.

Los Angeles Times

It should be noted early that I'm in attendance, girlfriend reluctantly in tow, as both a museum volunteer and a skeptic.

Vice

I assumed she was in attendance as a representative of some foreign country.

Huffington Post

As he weaved through the legs of vacationers, I noted who was in attendance.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for academic or formal context, use "I was in attendance" to highlight your credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "I was in attendance" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I was there" or "I attended" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was in attendance" functions as a statement of presence. It affirms that the speaker was physically present at a particular event, meeting, or location, similar to examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was in attendance" is a grammatically correct phrase used to assert one's presence at an event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's more common in news and formal business contexts than in casual conversation. More concise alternatives such as "I attended" may be preferred for informal use. While versatile, context is key: using simpler alternatives in casual conversation will help maintain a natural, less formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I attended

This is a more concise and direct way of saying the same thing, removing the 'in' and 'was'.

I was present

This alternative uses the adjective 'present' to indicate being at a location, slightly more formal.

I was there

Simplest form indicating your presence at the place/event in question.

I participated

Suggests you not only were present, but also took part in the event.

I took part

Similar to "I participated", but emphasizes the action of joining in.

I was among those present

Indicates presence as part of a larger group.

I witnessed

Emphasizes that you saw something happen, implies you were an observer at an event.

I was on hand

Implies readiness to assist or participate, beyond simply being present.

I showed up

More informal way to say you were present, implies less formality.

I graced the occasion

A more ceremonial and elevated way of saying you were in attendance.

FAQs

What does "I was in attendance" mean?

The phrase "I was in attendance" means that you were present at a specific event, meeting, or gathering. It indicates your physical presence at a particular place and time.

What's a more concise way to say "I was in attendance"?

A more concise way to convey the same meaning is to simply say "I attended". This is direct and easily understood.

When is it appropriate to use "I was in attendance"?

This phrase is most appropriate in formal contexts, such as reports, official statements, or when you want to emphasize your presence at a particular event. In informal situations, simpler alternatives like "I was there" may be more suitable.

Is there a difference between saying "I was present" and "I was in attendance"?

While both phrases indicate your presence, "I was in attendance" typically implies a more specific event or gathering, while "I was present" can be used more broadly to indicate your mere presence in a location.