Common Mistakes : Audience

Audience – Noun

BAD: The priest stands in front of the bride and groom, facing the audience

GOOD: The priest stands in front of the bride and groom, facing the congregation

audience = the people who go to watch/listen to a film, play, concert, public lecture, etc: ‘The group has played to vast audiences all over the world.’ At the end of the talk, members of the audience were invited to ask questions

congregation = the people who attend a church service: The vicar is always pleased to see new faces in the congregation