take attendance

USAGE SUMMARY

'take attendance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of accounting for all of the people present in a certain area or group. For example: "Before the meeting begins, it's important for us to take attendance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

How to take attendance.

The New York Times

JAMIE: But, before we get to that, let's quickly take attendance.

The New Yorker

Step 6: Starting at Table A, walk around to each table and take attendance.

The New York Times

Board officials responded that state education policy required them to take attendance that way.

The New York Times

Counselors whose only role had been to take attendance prepared themselves to deal with young fighters returning from the front.

The New York Times

Tell hard-luck stories of your youth, take attendance in a funny accent, answer a question as an opera singer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Or taking attendance.

The New York Times

We aren't taking attendance.

The New York Times

The point is to save time in taking attendance.

The New York Times

When teachers took attendance, "people would burst out laughing.

The New Yorker

After quickly taking attendance, the teacher gets down to business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To streamline the process of taking attendance, use technology by employing tools like mobile apps or automated systems to reduce the time spent and minimize errors.

Common error

Avoid using different criteria for recording attendance. For example, if punctuality is important, consistently mark late arrivals as such rather than sometimes ignoring them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take attendance" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of recording or noting who is present in a specific setting. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this is a standard and correct usage in English. Examples show it used across diverse contexts, from classrooms to formal meetings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take attendance" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of recording or checking who is present. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, the phrase serves the purpose of establishing a record of presence for accountability and tracking participation. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its use in formal settings necessitates careful consideration of context. To enhance clarity and impact, writers can consider alternatives like "mark attendance" or "record presence", as well as be mindful of common errors such as inconsistent tracking methods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark attendance

Emphasizes the act of noting or recording who is present.

record presence

Focuses on documenting the presence of individuals.

check roll

A more informal way of saying "take attendance", often used in educational settings.

call the roll

Involves verbally announcing names to confirm presence.

register attendance

Highlights the act of formally registering or logging presence.

document presence

Stresses the importance of having a written record of who is there.

verify participation

Broader term that encompasses confirming involvement or presence.

log attendance

Focuses on digitally logging the attendance.

account for attendees

Formal phrase that refers to accounting for participants.

ascertain presence

Emphasizes the act of discovering or confirming the presence of individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "take attendance" in a sentence?

You can use "take attendance" in sentences like: "The teacher will "take attendance" at the beginning of each class", or "It's important to "take attendance" to ensure everyone is accounted for".

What's a more formal way to say "take attendance"?

A more formal way to say "take attendance" is to use phrases such as "record presence" or "register attendance". These options are suitable for official documentation and business contexts.

Is it correct to say "make attendance" instead of "take attendance"?

No, it is not correct to say "make attendance". The correct and commonly used phrase is "take attendance". "Make attendance" is not standard English.

What are some modern methods to "take attendance"?

Modern methods to "take attendance" include using mobile apps, scanning QR codes, or employing facial recognition technology to automate the process.