reservation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reservation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an arrangement made in advance to secure accommodations, such as a hotel room or a table at a restaurant. Example: "I made a reservation for two at our favorite restaurant for Friday night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They'd spent three hours on hold with American, which told them not to go to the airport or search for a new reservation — advice they ignored.

The Guardian

Dan has booked the function room at Farage's local, the George and Dragon, for the cabaret, but told the landlord that the reservation is for a birthday party.

The Guardian

Germans, in particular, are inclined to cancel their reservation if they know there will be Chinese in the hotel, a hotel spokesman claimed.

The Guardian

Now, in the latest take on the protest franchise, a small group of dedicated demonstrators are camped on the central reservation of a highway in an upmarket suburb of Rio de Janeiro, the Olympic-city-in-waiting. Their goal: Occupy Golf.

The Guardian

But I had a reservation; not so much about whether he would look right as about whether he had the maturity to understand.

The Guardian - Film

This was a mistake and I accept the ruling without reservation".

The Guardian

The sense of exclusivity extended to the reservation system, too.

The Guardian - Arts

You may have to beg or wait months for a reservation, but if you only hit one restaurant in San Francisco, make it this one.

The Guardian - Travel

If a tax could be applied it would have beneficial effects … My reservation is that for the UK to engage in this unilaterally would be a very dangerous thing to do because it would destroy the country's financial sector.

The Guardian - Business

Don't say: "Yes, I'm cancelling my reservation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I would like to say again we feel the actions of those individuals was totally unacceptable and we condemn them without any reservation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If your plans change, promptly cancel your "reservation" to allow others to use the service and avoid potential fees.

Common error

Avoid using "reserve" as a noun when you mean "reservation". "Reserve" is a verb meaning to set aside, while "reservation" is the noun referring to the arrangement itself.

Linguistic Context

The word "reservation" primarily functions as a noun. It can denote the act of reserving something (like a seat or room), or it can indicate a limiting qualification or doubt, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "reservation" is a versatile noun with meanings ranging from securing accommodations to expressing doubt. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news, travel, and business contexts. When using "reservation", ensure clarity about whether you're referring to a booking or expressing a qualification. Alternatives include "booking", "prior arrangement" or "qualification" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

booking

Focuses specifically on securing a spot or service, especially for travel or accommodations.

advance booking

Highlights that the booking was made ahead of time.

prior arrangement

Emphasizes the pre-planned nature of the agreement or securing of something.

scheduled appointment

Suited for medical or professional services where time is specifically allocated.

table booking

Specifically relates to reserving a table at a restaurant.

hotel booking

Specifically relates to reserving a room at a hotel.

mental reservation

Refers to a concealed doubt or qualification.

qualification

Highlights a limiting condition or doubt about something.

hesitation

Focuses on the act of pausing or being reluctant due to uncertainty.

doubt

Emphasizes the feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

FAQs

How do I properly use "reservation" in a sentence?

You can use "reservation" to refer to a prior arrangement to secure accommodations, such as "I have a "reservation" at the hotel" or to express a doubt, as in "I have some "reservation" about that plan".

What are some alternatives to saying "reservation" when booking a table?

Instead of "reservation", you could use terms like "booking" or "table booking".

Is it correct to say "I have a reserve" instead of "I have a reservation"?

No, "reserve" is a verb. The correct noun form is "reservation". You can "reserve" a table and then say "I have a "reservation"".

What's the difference between "reservation" and "booking"?

While similar, "booking" often implies a broader context, such as booking a flight or a package. "Reservation" is often used for specific items like a hotel room or restaurant table.