as absent

USAGE SUMMARY

"as absent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something which is physically away or present, but not participating in an activity. For example, "The team won the match despite the captain's absence as absent from the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

God, or at least the god the medal had in mind, was as absent as the Grand Fleet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Probesets scored as absent across all chips were filtered out.

Plosone

With each treatment, pain and nausea were scored as absent.

British Journal of Nutrition

Clones located under the threshold were scored as absent.

BMC Genomics

Cytoplasmic staining was considered positive, and scored as: absent ; weakly positive, moderately positive or strongly positive.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

He recalled his mother, by contrast, as "absent, very withdrawn".

The New Yorker

Ofcom criticised Channel TV's procedures as "absent or totally insufficient and ineffective".

The Guardian

They destroyed the lowest test scores and marked those students as "absent".

The New York Times

This was not so much about What A Friend, as absent friends.

Independent

Her father, Mitch, is presented as absent in Amy's early years, blundering – if lovingly so – on his return.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is impossible to think that they will bat as absent-mindedly as they did.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as absent" to concisely indicate a lack of presence or participation, particularly when contrasting it with another state or condition.

Common error

Avoid using "as absent" in overly formal or informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "missing" or "not present" would be more suitable. Consider the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as absent" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective by providing a comparative description of absence. Ludwig confirms this usage across various examples, indicating its role in establishing a comparison.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as absent" functions as an adverbial phrase to draw comparisons related to the lack of presence or participation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in both scientific and news contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various writing styles, though simpler alternatives might be preferable in highly formal or informal settings. While "as absent" is a valid and understandable expression, understanding its contextual appropriateness can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not present

A straightforward way of stating that someone or something is not in attendance or available.

not in attendance

Specifically indicates that someone is not present at a scheduled event or meeting.

in a state of absence

Emphasizes the condition or state of being absent, rather than simply noting the absence.

being away

Focuses on the physical location, suggesting a temporary removal from a place.

conspicuously absent

Highlights that the absence is noticeable or remarkable, drawing attention to the missing entity.

being missing

Highlights that something is lost or not accounted for, with implications beyond mere absence.

functionally absent

Indicates that something is present but not performing its intended function, creating a state of practical absence.

out of the picture

Suggests a removal from consideration or relevance, indicating a more figurative absence.

nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the difficulty or inability to locate someone or something, creating a sense of mystery or concern.

in default

Implies a failure to meet an obligation or requirement, resulting in a state of absence or non-compliance.

FAQs

How can I use "as absent" in a sentence?

You can use "as absent" to describe something that is missing or not present, often in comparison to something else. For example, "God, or at least the god the medal had in mind, was "as absent" as the Grand Fleet."

What's a more common way to say something is "as absent"?

While "as absent" is grammatically correct, you might consider using phrases like "not present", "missing", or "lacking" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "being absent" instead of "as absent"?

In many cases, "being absent" works well as a substitute, though it slightly shifts the emphasis to the state of absence rather than a comparison. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "as absent" and "conspicuously absent"?

"As absent" simply states the fact of absence. "Conspicuously absent" emphasizes that the absence is noticeable or remarkable. The phrase "conspicuously absent" suggests that someone's or something's absence is particularly striking or significant.