absent from the screen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absent from the screen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not currently visible or present in a visual medium, such as a film, television show, or presentation. Example: "The main character was absent from the screen for the majority of the film, leaving the audience wondering about their fate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

When Streep is absent from the screen, however, the interest factor plummets.

The Guardian - Film

Del Ruth was absent from the screen for several years, working in television.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Absent from the screen since 1997, Day-Lewis completely and utterly dominates Scorsese's film in a way that only a few actors can.

The Guardian - Film

And those betrayed Iraqi contacts of hers are incidentally forgotten, too, by the end of the film, absent from the screen.

The Guardian - Film

Fleischer was absent from the screen for five years, but when he returned, it was with his biggest hit in more than a decade, Fantastic Voyage (1966).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Kelly was notably absent from the screen on Thursday, hours after The New York Times reported that the authorities were investigating the woman's allegations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If Mr. Lagerfeld himself was conspicuously absent from the screening party thrown by Chanel last week, maybe he has had enough of these renditions of the Chanel story?

The New York Times

Analysis will be carried out by intention-to-treat (screening), where any patients who are lost at the end of the year that the intervention takes place due to changes of address, institutionalisation, or death will be considered as absent from the screening.

BMC Cancer

So why have so many of them been absent from the big screen for so long?

The Guardian - Film

Grown-up women have never exactly been absent from the big screen.

The New York Times

As Ms Vincendeau points out, the burning difficulties in today's banlieues, such as the place of Islam in secular France, are largely absent from the big screen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absent from the screen" to describe the physical absence of a person, object, or concept in a visual medium. For example, when a character is temporarily or permanently removed from a film narrative, or when a key element is not visually represented despite its relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "absent from the screen" to describe absences in non-visual contexts, such as arguments or discussions. It is visually specific; consider using terms like "missing from the discussion" or "not considered" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absent from the screen" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing something that is not visible or present in a visual medium. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absent from the screen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes the lack of visibility of something in a visual medium. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is adjectival, modifying nouns to indicate absence. Found most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Scientific writing, the phrase serves to inform an audience. While it might not fit everywhere, this expression, as shown by Ludwig, is a handy tool for providing a specific detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not featured in the film

Indicates a more specific absence related to a movie production.

out of view in the scene

Focuses on the visual aspect of not being visible within a particular scene.

unseen in the shot

Highlights the absence from a specific photographic or cinematic shot.

not appearing on camera

Emphasizes the act of not being recorded or displayed on camera.

missing from the broadcast

Refers to the absence of something from a television or radio broadcast.

not shown in the presentation

Highlights the lack of inclusion in a presentation.

left out of the picture

Implies exclusion from a broader visual representation or situation.

not displayed onscreen

Specifically indicates the absence from a digital or electronic display.

removed from the visual

Suggests a deliberate act of taking something away from a visual medium.

not part of the imagery

Indicates that something is excluded from the overall set of images used.

FAQs

How can I use "absent from the screen" in a sentence?

Use "absent from the screen" to indicate that something or someone is not visible in a film, television show, or other visual medium. For example, "The main character was "absent from the screen" for a significant portion of the movie".

What is a good alternative to "absent from the screen"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "not visible", "off-screen", or "not featured". If you are referring to a character, you could say "not appearing on camera".

When is it appropriate to use "absent from the screen" instead of "off-screen"?

"Absent from the screen" emphasizes the fact of being missing from view, while "off-screen" typically refers to something existing outside the visible area but still relevant to the scene. For instance, a character might be "absent from the screen" due to a plot point, while their voice might be heard "off-screen".

Is there a difference between "absent from the screen" and "missing from the screen"?

While similar, "absent from the screen" typically implies a more formal or deliberate absence. "Missing from the screen" might suggest something that should be there is not, perhaps unexpectedly. "Absent from the screen" simply states that something is not present.