counting the waiters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counting the waiters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the act of enumerating or keeping track of waiters, possibly in a restaurant or event setting. Example: "Before the dinner service began, the manager was busy counting the waiters to ensure there were enough staff for the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were 17, counting the waiters.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Suddenly my appetite is gone, and I can think of nothing but counting the minutes until the waiter takes that plate away.

Vice

The incident took place shortly after midnight while the waiter was counting the evening tips.

The New York Times

She counted the money out to the waiter and left an extra coin on his tray, whereupon he bowed before her as before a princess of royal blood.

Independent

I'd check the waiters' trays to count the number of steaks that went out.

The New York Times

I can't count the number of times a waiter or waitress has asked: "Are you finished?" when I'm still nibbling on a chicken carcass or sopping up a sauce with a piece of bread.

Huffington Post

David paid our waiter who in turn counted the exact change from a well-worn leather pouch strapped to his waist.

The New York Times - Travel

A companion whispered "I count 14 waiters".

The New York Times

Consider again the waiter example above.

SEP

The waiters seemed like actors impersonating waiters.

The New Yorker

The waiters smiled anxiously.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "counting the waiters" when you need to emphasize a literal enumeration or tally of the number of waiters present, especially in contexts where staffing levels are being assessed or managed.

Common error

Avoid using "counting the waiters" metaphorically; it is most appropriate for scenarios involving actual enumeration. Using it in unrelated contexts can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counting the waiters" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of enumerating the waiters. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "counting the waiters" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the action of enumerating waiters. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While its usage is relatively rare, it is suitable for both formal and informal settings where a literal count of waiters is needed. Related phrases include "tallying the waitstaff" and "assessing the waiter headcount".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tallying the waitstaff

Replaces "counting" with "tallying" and "waiters" with the more formal "waitstaff".

calculating the number of servers

Substitutes "counting" with "calculating" and "waiters" with "servers", emphasizing a precise determination.

assessing the waiter headcount

Uses "assessing" instead of "counting" and replaces "waiters" with "waiter headcount", focusing on a total count.

determining the quantity of waiters

Emphasizes a formal approach to finding out the exact number of waiters.

taking stock of the serving staff

Replaces "counting" with "taking stock of", which implies an inventory, and "waiters" with "serving staff".

enumerating the attending waiters

Uses the more formal verb "enumerating" instead of "counting" and specifies "attending" to clarify their role.

adding up the waiters present

Replaces "counting" with "adding up", which is a more literal description of the process.

figuring out how many waiters are on duty

Focuses on the number of waiters currently working.

keeping track of the waiters available

Emphasizes monitoring the number of waiters who are ready to work.

estimating the amount of waiters

Uses "estimating" to suggest an approximate count rather than an exact one.

FAQs

What does "counting the waiters" mean?

The phrase "counting the waiters" refers to the act of determining the number of waiters present, typically in a restaurant or event setting. It implies a literal count for staffing or organizational purposes.

What can I say instead of "counting the waiters"?

You can use alternatives like "tallying the waitstaff", "assessing the waiter headcount", or "determining the quantity of waiters" depending on the context.

Is "counting the waiters" formal or informal?

The phrase "counting the waiters" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "enumerating the attending waiters" might be preferred in professional settings.

How to use "counting the waiters" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Before the dinner service began, the manager was busy "counting the waiters" to ensure there were enough staff for the evening."