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Gene93 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

to be available (room/table)

Hello,
Is correct to ask someone: "Is the room next to yours still available? I am thinking about renting it." and "Could you tell me if the table in the corner is available?" I realize "free" might collocate better with table, but still...

Thank you
  

Top answer

Yes - "rent a room" is OK for a long-term living arrangement "Is the table free" is good. You wouldn't "rent" a table in a restuarant! g.

— Michael Chambers Teaching English

  • Yes - "rent a room" is OK for a long-term living arrangement "Is the table free" is good.
  • You wouldn't "rent" a table in a restuarant!
  • g.
  • for a day event, you could use "hire".
  • If you just needed to use a space spontaneously for a short time, then "use" would be good.
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3 Answers
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Yes - "rent a room" is OK for a long-term living arrangement

"Is the table free" is good. You wouldn't "rent" a table in a restuarant!

If you wanted to formally use a room or space for the short-term e.g. for a day event, you could use "hire". If you just needed to use a space spontaneously for a short time, then "use" would be good.

Kind regards, Michael
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Thank you, Mr Chambers. No, I wouldn't rent a table either, hehe. If we walked into a restaurant, we could ask one of the waiters/the waiter: "Hello, is the table in the corner available"? Would it sound odd? I know that "free" can be used in both examples. Can we ask a friend if a room's still available?
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I understand. In both cases, "available" is just more formal than "free" but both are OK.
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