are absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is not present or missing in a particular context. Example: "The students are absent from class today due to the snowstorm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Setae are absent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seven girls are absent.

The Guardian

But politics are absent.

The New Yorker

Internal reflections are absent.

Nature

Basic medicines are absent.

The New York Times

Eyes are absent.

Britannica

They are absent from Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Signs of pregnancy are absent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The persons themselves are absent".

The New Yorker

Many fathers are absent altogether.

The New York Times - Magazine

But these data are absent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are absent", ensure the subject is plural or collective. For example, "The key features are absent."

Common error

Avoid using "are absent" with singular subjects. Incorrect: "The main feature are absent." Correct: "The main feature is absent."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are absent" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being away or lacking for a plural subject. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and well-supported by examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are absent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the lack or non-presence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, from scientific literature to news articles. It’s essential to ensure subject-verb agreement when using this phrase, pairing it with plural nouns. While synonyms like ""are missing"" and "are lacking" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The analysis reveals that "are absent" is most commonly found in scientific and news-related sources, reflecting its broad applicability and formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are missing

Indicates a temporary or unexplained absence.

are lacking

Highlights a deficiency or insufficiency.

are not present

A more formal way of stating absence.

do not exist

Emphasizes the non-existence of something.

are unavailable

Suggests that something is not accessible or obtainable.

are nonexistent

Highlights the complete absence of something.

are void of

Emphasizes the emptiness or lack of something.

are devoid of

Similar to "are void of", emphasizing a complete absence.

are without

Indicates the absence of something, often in a more descriptive context.

are conspicuous by their absence

Highlights the noticeable absence of something expected.

FAQs

How to use "are absent" in a sentence?

"Are absent" indicates that something or someone is not present or available. For example, "The required documents "are missing"" or "Several key members "are unavailable" today".

What can I say instead of "are absent"?

You can use alternatives like ""are missing"", "are lacking", or "are not present" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is absent" or "are absent"?

"Is absent" is used with singular nouns, while "are absent" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The student is absent", but "The students "are missing"".

What's the difference between "are absent" and ""are missing""?

While both indicate a lack of presence, "are absent" often implies a more general or permanent state, while ""are missing"" suggests a temporary or unexplained disappearance.