a prolonged absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prolonged absence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been away for an extended period of time. Example: "After a prolonged absence from the office, she returned to find many changes had taken place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A prolonged absence by York could hurt this week.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus a premature return is less surprising from Chávez than a prolonged absence," said Corrales.

The Guardian

A prolonged absence would pose a huge question for the Blues as the playoffs approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Exile is a prolonged absence from one's country, either voluntary or by direction of the sovereign.

Britannica

He has a history of injuries, and a prolonged absence would tax the team's already struggling offense.

The New York Times - Sports

A prolonged absence is something the already depleted Rangers, who are still shopping for a veteran defenseman, cannot afford.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

How can a PI's prolonged absence be good for your career?

Science Magazine

It triggered a breakdown and his prolonged absence from work resulted in him losing his job as a project worker with Barnardo's.

The Guardian

Serological assays of 599 blood samples collected from 510 known-aged lions between July 1984 and January 2007 revealed a repeated pattern of prolonged absence (5 13 yrs in duration) of CDV infection from the Serengeti (as indicated by negative serum titers) punctuated by short periods with widespread (60 95%) CDV exposure.

Plosone

Because mammals depend on maternal care for survival in their early weeks or months, the prolonged absence of a mother's touch - more than 45 minutes in a rat, for instance - triggers a slowing of the infant's metabolism, and thus a lowering of its need for nourishment.

The New York Times - Science

His prolonged absence provides a steady sense of dread propelling the novel toward its conclusion.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prolonged absence", ensure the context clearly indicates what is absent. Be specific about the subject (person, thing, or quality) from which there is a prolonged absence.

Common error

Avoid using "a prolonged absence" without clearly establishing what is missing. Ensure the reader understands what is absent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prolonged absence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of being away or lacking for an extended duration. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a usable phrase in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prolonged absence" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a situation where someone or something is away for an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is commonly found in news articles, scientific papers, and business communications. When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly specify what exactly is absent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "an extended absence" or "a lengthy absence" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Remember to provide context for clarity and prevent any potential misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended absence

Replaces "prolonged" with "extended", keeping the same core meaning.

a lengthy absence

Substitutes "prolonged" with "lengthy", suggesting a long duration.

a long-term absence

Uses "long-term" to emphasize the duration of the absence.

a sustained absence

Replaces "prolonged" with "sustained", highlighting the continuous nature of the absence.

a protracted absence

Employs "protracted" to indicate a drawn-out or extended absence.

an extensive period of absence

Rephrases the concept using "extensive period" to describe the duration.

a considerable time away

Focuses on the "time away" aspect, using "considerable" to denote the length.

a long-lasting hiatus

Replaces "absence" with "hiatus" to indicate a break or interruption.

a significant period of non-attendance

Formalizes the phrase, using "non-attendance" to denote absence.

a prolonged period of non-existence

Replaces "absence" with "non-existence" to emphasize something no longer existing.

FAQs

What does "a prolonged absence" mean?

The phrase "a prolonged absence" refers to a situation where someone or something is away or missing for an extended period.

How can I use "a prolonged absence" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team struggled during "a prolonged absence" of their star player" or "The ecosystem suffered due to "a prolonged absence" of rainfall."

What can I say instead of "a prolonged absence"?

You can use alternatives like "an extended absence", "a lengthy absence", or "a long-term absence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a prolonged absence" or "a prolonged presence"?

"A prolonged absence" and "a prolonged presence" have opposite meanings. "A prolonged absence" means someone or something has been away for a long time, while "a prolonged presence" suggests someone or something has remained for an extended duration.