attendants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attendants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who assist or serve others, often in a formal or professional context, such as at events, hospitals, or transportation services. Example: "The attendants at the conference were very helpful in guiding the guests to their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cross-country flights somehow seemed to all be on old, broken-down planes, while gate agents and flight attendants all just seemed crabbier.

The Economist

As the band soundcheck, I watch two attendants mop the auditorium's white plastic chairs after a light sprinkling of rain.

The Guardian - Music

A couple of customers compete with a baby wailing as they read out lists of products to the shop attendants who pick them off the shelves.

The Guardian

The conclusive diagnostic tests are highly convenient; attendants' claims about the healing powers of Tiens products may well be reassuring; many patients say the fact the medicines travelled thousands of miles from China suggest they must work.

The Guardian

One crew member, retired midwife Elizabeth Hunter, set out to make a difference by teaching new and safer techniques to various groups of traditional birthing attendants.

The Guardian

Flight attendants earn 32% more than their American counterparts, and 165% more than those with Mexican budget carriers.

The Economist

And how long have they been calling our wives 'flight attendants' and 'bimbos'?

The Guardian - Sport

"Baroque: Style in the Age of Magnificence" begins with a captivating bejewelled camel (pictured below) with "blackamoor" attendants.

The Economist

Pilots can monitor cabin temperatures from the cockpit, and/or a call from a flight attendants station -- "It's getting really hot back here and people are upset; can you do something?

The Economist

The attendants are all very well turned out (this is Paris), but the organisation is village-fête level.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

The shoe-bomber, Richard Reid, was apprehended by flight attendants and passengers, not one of the new air-marshal police officers.America's airline industry has now embraced security in a somewhat manic fashion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the setting when choosing between "attendants" and more informal synonyms like "helpers" or "staff".

Common error

Avoid using "attendants" in very casual situations where words like "helpers" or "servers" would be more appropriate. "Attendants" implies a degree of formality and specific duty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attendants" is as a plural noun. It refers to individuals who provide assistance or service in a particular setting. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe flight attendants, parking attendants, and other service personnel.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attendants" is a grammatically sound and commonly used plural noun to refer to individuals providing assistance or service. Ludwig AI analysis, along with numerous examples from reliable sources, confirms its frequent appearance in news, business, and general contexts. When writing, consider the formality of the setting and choose synonyms accordingly. Ludwig also highlights that using "attendants" in casual contexts is an anti-pattern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assistants

A standard synonym, emphasizing aid and support.

service personnel

Emphasizes the provision of a service.

support staff

Highlights the supportive role of the individuals.

hospitality workers

Specifically refers to those working in the hospitality sector.

event staff

Focuses on personnel working at events.

customer service representatives

Highlights the customer-facing aspect of their role.

caregivers

Implies a nurturing or protective role.

helpers

A more general term for those providing assistance.

personnel

A broader term referring to individuals employed by an organization.

employees

General term for workers.

FAQs

How can I use "attendants" in a sentence?

You can use "attendants" to refer to individuals who provide service or assistance in a specific context. For example, "The flight attendants were very helpful" or "Parking attendants directed traffic efficiently".

What words can I substitute for "attendants"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assistants", "helpers", or "personnel". The best choice depends on the specific role and formality.

Is it correct to use "attendants" to describe volunteers?

While "attendants" typically implies a paid role, it can be used for volunteers in more formal settings like events or conferences where they are providing structured assistance. In less formal settings, "volunteers" is generally preferred.

What is the difference between "attendants" and "staff"?

"Staff" is a broader term referring to all employees of an organization. "Attendants" specifically refers to those whose primary role is to attend to the needs of others or provide a service. All attendants may be staff, but not all staff are attendants.