Be absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be absent" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone is not present or will not be present at a specific time or event. Example: "Please be absent from the meeting if you are feeling unwell." Alternative expressions include "stay away" and "not attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Be absent.

WikiHow

Overt politics seemed to be absent.

The New York Times

Petty crime appears to be absent.

The Economist

It will be absent for 18 months.

The Guardian - Arts

Walters' yellow card means he will also be absent.

The Guardian - Sport

The usual dominance will be absent, he predicted.

The New York Times - Sports

Donovan may be absent for as many as six games.

The New York Times - Sports

Should that happen, Ms. Burnett, at least, will be absent.

The New York Times

MacAnthony will be absent in the Bahamas today.

The Guardian - Sport

And in critical moments he likes to be absent.

The Guardian - Books

I don't want to be absent from their lives.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be absent", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is absent, and from where or what they are absent. For instance, "Be absent from the meeting" provides clear direction.

Common error

Avoid using "be absent" with vague pronouns. Instead of saying "It will be absent", specify what "it" refers to for clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be absent" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the state of not being present or available. Ludwig AI shows its use in diverse contexts, from describing a person's absence to the lack of a specific feature or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be absent" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote the state of not being present or available. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct and usable in a wide range of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While frequently used, writers should aim for precision by clearly specifying what or who is absent. Consider alternatives like "be away" or ""not be present"" depending on the desired nuance. Ensure the context clarifies the subject and location of absence to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not be present

A more formal and direct way of stating absence.

be away

Focuses on the state of being away from a location.

be missing

Highlights the fact that something or someone is lacking or cannot be found.

be unavailable

Emphasizes the lack of availability, often due to absence.

be out

Indicates a temporary absence, often implying a return.

fail to appear

Highlights the act of not showing up or attending.

be non-existent

Indicates that something does not exist or is not present.

be lacking

Focuses on the deficiency or absence of something needed.

be off

Suggests a temporary absence or detachment from a situation.

be remote

Highlights the distance or separation, implying absence from immediate reach.

FAQs

How can I use "be absent" in a sentence?

You can use "be absent" to indicate that someone or something is not present in a specific place or situation. For example, "He will "not be present" at the meeting" or "Ensure you "stay away" if you are unwell".

What phrases are similar to "be absent"?

Similar phrases include "be away", ""not be present"", "be missing", and "be unavailable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be absent" or "not attend"?

"Be absent" and "not attend" are often interchangeable, but "be absent" can also imply a state of being away, while "not attend" specifically refers to the act of not being present at an event or meeting.

What does it mean when something is said to "be absent" in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, "be absent" typically means that a particular element, characteristic, or function is not present or detectable in a sample or system. For example, "Hemolytic activity was found to "be lacking"".