I was away

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was away" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used when you have been absent from a particular place or activity. For example, "I was away on vacation, so I wasn't able to attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was away four years.

The New Yorker

I was away in Manchester.

The New Yorker

I was away thinking about things".

The New Yorker

I was away a lot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I was away.

The Guardian - Books

I was away at the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recently, I was away for a week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was away for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

I was away, I missed the series.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If something happened and I was away, he would jump in a car and go out.

The New York Times

I was very disturbed that the clinic [had] not told me this while I was [away].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was away" to clearly and simply state your absence from a place or event. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I was away" without providing context if the reason for your absence is relevant. For example, instead of just saying "I was away", you could specify "I was away on business" to give more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was away" functions as a statement of absence, indicating that the speaker was not present at a specific location or during a particular time. This is supported by Ludwig's numerous examples, demonstrating its direct and clear communication of absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was away" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate absence from a specific place or time. As Ludwig indicates, it's frequently found in news and media, and acceptable in many situations. While versatile, it is recommended to provide context or specific details about the absence, especially in formal settings. For alternatives, consider "I was not present" or "I had been absent" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had been absent

Focuses on a completed period of absence, emphasizing the state of being away.

I was not present

Directly states the lack of presence, suitable for formal contexts.

I had been gone

Indicates a past departure and absence, often implying a return.

I was out of town

Specifies geographical absence, implying travel.

I was off-site

Implies being away from a specific location, often a workplace.

I was out

Simple and informal way to indicate absence from a specific place.

I was elsewhere

Indicates being in another unspecified location.

I wasn't around

Informal way of saying you were not in a particular place or available.

I was on leave

Implies authorized absence from work or duty.

I was on vacation

Specifies the reason for absence as a holiday or break.

FAQs

How can I use "I was away" in a sentence?

You can use "I was away" to indicate that you were not present at a particular place or during a specific time. For example, "I was away on vacation last week, so I missed the meeting."

What's a more formal alternative to "I was away"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "I was not present" or "I had been absent", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "I was away" to indicate a specific location?

If you want to specify where you were, you can use phrases like "I was out of town" or "I was offsite".

Is it correct to say "I was away" in professional communication?

Yes, "I was away" is perfectly acceptable in professional communication, especially when explaining your absence. However, consider providing additional details, such as "I was away on a business trip" for added clarity. Using simpler terms such as I was not present, might add unwanted formality.