I am away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you are not present at a location, often in the context of being out of the office or unavailable for communication. Example: "I am away on vacation and will not be checking my emails until I return."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am away from the east wind.

The New Yorker

I am away from my family.

The New York Times

When I am away from it I remember only the tang on the tongue.

The New York Times - Books

Now I know what my cat is up to while I am away.

The New York Times

And I feel really bad, because I sinned and I am away from you".

The New York Times - Magazine

Q: How do I retrieve voicemail when I am away from my desk?

Cornell University

Rather than saying, "I have given up on the world," the achievement beard declares, "I am away, but not gone".

The New Yorker

Television: I am away so much, so I rarely see live TV, but I use iPlayer to catch programmes.

Independent

"I've always felt that the further I am away from my real character, the more effective I am," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

"Every time I am away, I sort of ache," Mr. Mayhew said.

The New York Times

My mother and my father are afraid when I am away.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am away" to clearly indicate your absence from a specific location or responsibility, particularly when providing context about your temporary unavailability.

Common error

Avoid using "I am away" in highly formal or professional communications. More specific and polished phrasing, such as "I will be out of the office" or "I am currently unavailable", may be more appropriate in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am away" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the speaker's current state of being absent from a particular place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its use in diverse scenarios, from personal explanations to professional out-of-office notifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am away" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate one's absence from a particular location. As identified by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in News & Media and Academia contexts. While its neutrality makes it suitable for many situations, more formal settings might benefit from alternative expressions. When employing "I am away", consider the context and audience to ensure effective communication about your temporary unavailability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm not here

Direct statement of absence, less context-dependent than the original phrase.

I'm out of office

Specifically refers to absence from a work environment.

I'm not available

Indicates unavailability, either physical or temporal.

I'm on leave

Implies a formal, authorized absence, often from work.

I'm on vacation

Specific to absence for recreational travel.

I'm traveling

Suggests movement from one place to another, implying absence from a home base.

I'm abroad

Implies being in a foreign country, away from one's home country.

I'm gone

A more general term for absence, can be permanent or temporary.

I am off-site

Indicates absence from a specific location, such as a construction site or office.

I'm taking time off

General absence from work or responsibilities.

FAQs

What is the difference between "I am away" and "I am gone"?

"I am away" typically implies a temporary absence with an expected return. "I am gone" can suggest a more indefinite or even permanent departure, although context is crucial for interpretation.

What can I say instead of "I am away" in a professional email?

In a professional setting, you could use phrases like "I will be out of the office", "I am currently unavailable", or "I am on leave" to convey your absence more formally.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I am away"?

Yes, "I am away" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to indicate that you are not present at a particular location or are unavailable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I am away"?

The phrase "I am away" is suitable when you want to inform someone of your absence from a place, whether it's your home, office, or another location. You can also use it to explain why you are unavailable for contact or unable to fulfill a responsibility.