absent today

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absent today" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is not present on a specific day, often in contexts like attendance or notifications. Example: "Please note that John is absent today due to a family emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The minutes show a considerable degree of micromanaging absent today.

The New York Times - Arts

The historic remedies for debt have included rapid inflation but that is absent today.

Independent

The prickly feeling that often takes hold of him every alternate Thursday is absent today.

The Guardian - Sport

O'Brien was absent today, fulfilling obligations with his club team, Ajax, in Amsterdam.

The New York Times - Sports

This challenge may well require a culture that rewards cooperation and compromise, which are sorely absent today.

The New York Times

If so – even though the political conditions for a left Brexit are absent today – I will want out soon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That appeal was conspicuously absent yesterday.

The New York Times

Even the memory of the father has been absent this weekend.

The New Yorker

Edward Lampert, the founder of ESL Investments and a member of the 2007 Alpha list, was absent this year.

The New York Times

The Olympic 400m champion, Christine Ohuruogu, was also absent yesterday with a tight quadriceps muscle.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Harris-Quinney said many MP and Tory members would be "noticeably absent" this week.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absent today" to clearly and concisely indicate someone's non-presence on a specific day, particularly in contexts like attendance records, notifications, or announcements.

Common error

Avoid using "absent today" when you need to specify the reason for absence; instead, add a clarifying phrase such as "absent today due to illness" or "absent today on vacation" to provide more context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absent today" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., 'he', 'she', 'the student') indicating a state of being away or not present on the current day. Ludwig shows its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absent today" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is not present on the current day. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "not in attendance today". Common errors include not providing sufficient context for the absence. For enhanced clarity, consider adding a reason, like "absent today due to illness". Overall, "absent today" serves as a straightforward and effective way to communicate non-presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not present today

Replaces "absent" with a more direct synonym "not present", maintaining the same meaning.

away today

Substitutes "absent" with "away", indicating a temporary departure or non-attendance.

not here today

Uses a locational expression to convey absence, implying physical non-presence.

missing today

Highlights the absence as a lack or loss, rather than just a state of not being present.

not in attendance today

A more formal way of saying someone is "absent", often used in official contexts.

unavailable today

Focuses on the person's lack of availability, rather than simply their absence.

off today

Implies that someone has taken a day off from work or other regular duties.

not working today

Specifically indicates absence from work, often due to a scheduled day off or illness.

taking a day off today

Emphasizes the act of choosing to be away from regular duties.

on leave today

Suggests an authorized absence, such as vacation or sick leave.

FAQs

What does "absent today" mean?

The phrase "absent today" indicates that someone is not present or available on the current day. It's often used in contexts such as school attendance, work notifications, or general announcements.

What are some alternative ways to say "absent today"?

You can use alternatives like "not present today", "away today", or "not here today" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "absent today"?

It's appropriate to use "absent today" when you want to inform others that someone is not present on the current day, without necessarily specifying the reason for their absence. For example, you might say, "John is absent today from the meeting."

Is "absent today" formal or informal?

The phrase "absent today" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, you might opt for a more elaborate phrase such as "not in attendance today".