Count (verb) — to say numbers in sequence; to calculate a total number of things or people. Count (noun) — a number arrived at by counting; also a formal charge in a legal indictment.
Etymology & Background
The verb count entered English in the 14th century from Old French conter ("to count, reckon"), which in turn came from Latin computare — a compound of com- (together) and putare (to reckon, consider). This Latin root also gives us compute, computer, and accountant.
In early use, counting was closely tied to financial reckoning — a counter was the table on which merchants tallied coins, which is why we still call a shop surface a counter today. The aristocratic title Count (a European rank equivalent to an English earl) shares the same Latin origin, as it originally meant "companion of the king" who kept the royal accounts.
Over the centuries the word broadened to cover any act of enumeration, the grammatical distinction between countable and uncountable nouns, and figurative uses such as "it counts" (it matters) and "count on someone" (rely on them).
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| Count to ten before you respond to an angry message. | A2 | count + to + number |
| The teacher counted the students as they entered the classroom. | B1 | count as transitive verb |
| The final count showed that 847 people had attended the event. | B1 | count as noun (result) |
| She was acquitted on the first count but found guilty on the second. | B2 | count as legal charge |
| In the current economic climate, every penny counts, so the board scrutinised each line of expenditure. | C1 | count = matter/be significant |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| count to (a number) | She counted to twenty and then opened her eyes. |
| count on (rely on) | You can always count on him in a crisis. |
| count out (exclude / count items one by one) | He counted out the coins onto the counter. |
| count up | Count up all the responses before writing your report. |
| final count | The final count revealed 312 votes in favour. |
| head count | The manager did a quick head count before the meeting started. |
| body count | News reports focused on the body count after the accident. |
| blood count | The doctor ordered a full blood count to check her health. |
| lose count | I lost count of how many times he apologised. |
| stand up and be counted | If you believe in this cause, it is time to stand up and be counted. |
Usage Notes
- Verb patterns: Count is both transitive (count the votes) and intransitive (every second counts). When used transitively it takes a direct object without a preposition.
- Phrasal verbs: Key phrasal verbs include count on (rely on), count out (exclude or dispense one by one), count up (total), and count down (count backwards, typically to a launch or deadline).
- Figurative use: "It counts" or "it doesn't count" means something is or is not valid or significant. This is very common in informal speech and writing.
- Legal register: As a noun in legal English, a count is a separate charge in an indictment. A defendant may be found guilty on one count but not guilty on another.
- Grammar term: The adjective countable (derived directly from count) is a fundamental term in English grammar, describing nouns that can take a plural form and be used with a/an.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I can't count how much people were there.
I couldn't count how many people were there. (use many with countable nouns, not much)
She counted till ten slowly.
She counted to ten slowly. (the fixed phrase is count to, not count till)
You can count in me to finish on time.
You can count on me to finish on time. (the phrasal verb is count on, not count in)