occupied table

USAGE SUMMARY

"occupied table" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a table that is currently being used by someone. For example, "The occupied table was near the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

There was one other occupied table.

The New Yorker

Instead, she wanted to put us next to the only other occupied table in the place.

The New York Times

The room was empty, save for servers and one occupied table in the dining room.

The New York Times

"It's those senior executives, they know the whole story," Mr. Chan said, gazing toward the only occupied table.

The New York Times

"It's absolutely empty," marvels Natasha Reynolds, sitting at the only occupied table in the cafe outside the Natural History Museum.

The Guardian

You just join the scrum and leap for a table when it becomes available, or failing that, you make new friends and sit down at an occupied table.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For comparing the cytoskeleton of control HEK 293 cells with that of SMAR1-P44 treated cells, cytoskeletal volume was normalized by dividing the volume by the area it occupies (Table 3).

BMC Cancer

Behind them chattering couples occupy tables in the shade; cigarette stubs are underfoot.

The New York Times - Arts

Wide sidewalks accommodate strollers as well as people-watchers who occupy tables spilling from the many cafes and restaurants lining the street.

The New York Times

For cafe owners, offering free wifi might draw more customers, but remote workers can occupy tables for several hours and spend very little.

BBC

With all the tables occupied (including table 54) I was seated at the bar.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing about resource allocation, "occupied table" can metaphorically represent a resource that is currently allocated and in use.

Common error

Avoid using "occupied table" when you mean a table that is being held for a future reservation. "Occupied" indicates current use, while "reserved" indicates future use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occupied table" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "occupied" modifies the noun "table". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occupied table" is grammatically sound and serves to describe a table currently in use. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific literature. Related terms include "table in use" and "taken table", offering similar meanings. When using "occupied table", ensure it accurately reflects current usage and isn't confused with "reserved table". Overall, it’s a clear and functional phrase for conveying table availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

table in use

Replaces the adjective "occupied" with the prepositional phrase "in use", maintaining the meaning.

engaged table

Employs the adjective "engaged", similar to "occupied", to indicate that the table is not free.

table being used

Uses a passive voice construction to describe the table's state.

taken table

Uses the adjective "taken" instead of "occupied" to indicate the table is not available.

table in service

Employs the phrase "in service" suggesting a table is currently serving customers or being utilized.

claimed table

Suggests someone has asserted their right to use the table.

table with someone sitting at it

Expands the description to explicitly state the presence of a person, adding detail.

table with patrons

Specifies the presence of customers, emphasizing the social aspect of the table's use.

reserved table

Indicates the table is held for later use, implying current unavailability but not necessarily current use.

table in demand

Highlights the table's desirability and current usage status.

FAQs

How can I use "occupied table" in a sentence?

You can say, "The waiter directed us to the only "occupied table" in the restaurant" or "Finding an unoccupied table was difficult during the lunch rush".

What's a simple way to describe a table that's in use?

Instead of "occupied table", you could use phrases like "table in use" or "taken table".

Is it appropriate to use "occupied table" in formal writing?

Yes, "occupied table" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a neutral and clear way to describe a table that is currently being used.

What's the difference between "occupied table" and "reserved table"?

"Occupied table" means the table is currently being used, while "reserved table" means it is being held for someone's future use. They are not interchangeable.