are often absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are often absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is frequently not present or missing. Example: "In many classrooms, students are often absent due to various reasons such as illness or family commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The executioners are often absent from the works.

The Guardian - Arts

But they're not the only ones who are often absent.

The New York Times

Scouting provides male guidance in neighborhoods where men are often absent.

The New York Times

They are often absent or incomplete for a while, or sometimes forever.

The Guardian - Opinion

But throughout the developing world teachers on the public payroll are often absent from school.

The Economist

Artists, novelists, poets, musicians – they are all in the imagination business yet they are often absent from the business world.

The Guardian

In modern times, a large proportion of Sotho men are often absent from home as migrant labourers.

Britannica

Note that coeval strata are often absent in basin edge successions (Hajguig Wadi log in Fig. 2).

Nature

Five features that are often absent in unsuccessful attempts to apply decision analysis marked this implementation as a success.

Harvard Business Review

During the N.H.L. season, the Quicks are often absent, but the Moulsons drive up from Long Island.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Republicans like to loudly proclaim such support, but when it comes to voting for it, they are often absent-without-leave.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are often absent" to describe recurring absences or omissions, suggesting a pattern rather than a one-time occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "are often absent" when referring to a singular subject. The correct form for a singular subject is "is often absent". For example, use "The key detail is often absent" instead of "The key detail are often absent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often absent" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as part of the predicate in a sentence. It describes a state of frequent non-presence. Ludwig shows examples across varied subjects, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are often absent" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe frequent non-presence. According to Ludwig, it appears commonly in news, scientific, and academic writing. To improve your writing, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and consider synonyms like "are frequently missing" or "are regularly unavailable" for variety. Be aware of context to ensure clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are frequently missing

Emphasizes the missing aspect more directly; replaces "often absent" with a synonym.

are commonly lacking

Highlights the deficiency or lack of something instead of absence.

are regularly unavailable

Focuses on the lack of availability rather than absence; suitable for describing people or resources.

are habitually away

Implies a pattern or habit of being away, often used for people.

are repeatedly not present

More formal and emphasizes the repeated nature of non-presence.

are intermittently gone

Highlights the sporadic nature of the absence.

are usually not there

Simplifies the phrase to a more casual expression indicating typical absence.

are conspicuously missing

Emphasizes that the absence is noticeable or remarkable.

tend to be away

Indicates a tendency or inclination to be absent.

are notably deficient

Focuses on the marked deficiency rather than simply being absent.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are often absent" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "are frequently missing" or "are commonly lacking". These options provide a more sophisticated way to express the same idea.

What's the difference between "are often absent" and "are always absent"?

"Are often absent" implies that something or someone is missing frequently but not every time. "Are always absent" suggests a constant state of absence with no exceptions. The key difference is the degree of frequency.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "are often absent"?

It is appropriate to use "are often absent" when describing situations where something or someone is regularly missing or not present. For example, "Vital resources are frequently missing in underfunded schools".

What are some common synonyms for "are often absent"?

Common synonyms include "are frequently missing", "are regularly unavailable", and "are commonly lacking". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.