after long absence

USAGE SUMMARY

"after long absence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a period of time that someone or something has been away or not present. Example: "After a long absence, Mary finally returned to her hometown to visit her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But some are returning to repertory after long absence.

The New York Times - Arts

I can't wait to revisit the landscape in the text, with Garner at the helm again after long absence.

The Guardian - Books

Returning alone after long absence Has it ever been absent, this desire My midget home among the trees,.

The New Yorker

By Melanie Rehak The New Yorker, October 16, 2006 P. 88 Returning alone after long absence View Article By David Remnick By Jia Tolentino By Jelani Cobb By Bernard Avishai.

The New Yorker

Did I want to revisit, after long absence, the college's magnificent Painted Hall, 108 feet long -- or drop in at the Trafalgar Pub, memorable to me as the place where someone first offered me "a short" (pub slang for a measure of whisky)?

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Returning to jobs after long absences is difficult.

The New York Times

Several other colleges have also invited R.O.T.C. back after long absences.

The New York Times

Golf and rugby will return at the 2016 Rio Games after long absences.

The New York Times - Sports

Returning to Iraq after long absences, respected journalists Anthony Shadid and Dexter Filkins say they barely recognize the place.

The Washington Post

When battle lines shifted and cities fell from Taliban hands this fall, many families began returning after long absences to villages to clean up war damage and reclaim farmland.

The New York Times

He bemoaned such recent two-wheeled phenomena as "born-again riders," people returning to the roads after long absences to find motorcycles much faster, traffic much denser and the world more perilous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after long absence" to clearly indicate that something or someone is returning or reappearing after a significant period. This phrase adds emphasis to the duration of the absence.

Common error

Avoid using "after long absence" when a shorter or unspecified absence is intended. The phrase is specifically for situations where the length of the absence is significant and relevant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after long absence" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurs in relation to a prolonged period of being away. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples showcasing its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after long absence" is a grammatically sound and usable prepositional phrase, primarily functioning as an adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a return or reappearance following a considerable period. Although categorized as rare in terms of frequency, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure that the emphasis on the duration of the absence is relevant to the intended meaning, and is more suitable to be used in News & Media context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following an extended period away

Focuses on the duration of the absence being a period away from something.

subsequent to a prolonged separation

Emphasizes the separation aspect and its length.

following a considerable time elapsed

Highlights that time has passed since the absence began.

after a lengthy period of non-existence

Highlights the non-existence during the period of absence.

returning from an extended leave

Focuses on the return from the absence, which is described as a leave.

following a protracted hiatus

Uses "hiatus" to indicate a break or interruption.

after a long stretch of being gone

More informal way of saying after a long absence.

subsequent to a long-term vanishing

Suggests a disappearance over an extended time.

following an extended time-out

Uses the metaphor of a time-out.

after an age

More figurative and less precise than "after long absence".

FAQs

How can I use "after long absence" in a sentence?

You can use "after long absence" to indicate that something or someone is returning or reappearing following a significant period of time, such as, "After long absence, the band returned to the stage for an encore".

What are some alternatives to "after long absence"?

Alternatives include "following an extended period away", "subsequent to a prolonged separation", or "following a considerable time elapsed".

Is "after a long absence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "after long absence" is grammatically correct. The article "a" is usually omitted in such prepositional phrases, but including it doesn't make the phrase ungrammatical.

What's the difference between "after a short absence" and "after long absence"?

The key difference is the duration of the absence. "After a short absence" indicates a brief period of being away, whereas "after long absence" signifies a significant, extended period.