away on assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "away on assignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is temporarily absent from their usual location due to work-related tasks or duties. Example: "The manager is currently away on assignment, so please direct all inquiries to her assistant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In the past, Dunleavy was often away on assignment, sometimes for months.

The New Yorker

The couple spent four years in Baltimore, but her husband was frequently away on assignment, including covering the Korean War.

Independent

Her father decamped when she was 8, and her mother, a visiting nurse, was usually away on assignment.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Cooper said he would tape five or six syndicated shows a week, to build up a bank that could be used when he was away on assignment.

The New York Times

Mr. Phenix needed someone to work in his office while he was away on assignment, and Ms. Williams, now divorced, agreed to take on the task.

The New York Times - Style

"Within 10 years he had become exactly the description he created: a famous American photographer, always away on assignment taking these incredible pictures," Ms. Makepeace said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I said, 'I'm fine with that.' " When he was whisked away on an assignment, Ms. Gonzalez dealt with it by avoiding the news.

The New York Times

I find it reassuring to see Sally Albright, identified only fleetingly in When Harry Met Sally as a reporter for the News and later for New York magazine, sitting at her late-80s model computer tapping away on some assignment.

Huffington Post

The reasons included: being transferred permanently 63 (30%); being away on special assignment during the study period 53 (25%), retired in 21 (10%), being on vacation 19 (9%); being on study leave 17 (8%), withdrawn consent 16 (7%), terminated from the force 12 (6%); death 5 (2%), hospitalized 3 (1%), resigned 2 (1%), and travelled 2 (1%).

BMC Public Health

When both our dads were away on military assignments, our families spent Easters and Thanksgivings together.

Huffington Post

One evening, he was laboring away on a school assignment and eating some Syrian chocolates when one of the candy wrappers caught his eye; on it was an image of the Old City in Damascus.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "away on assignment" to clearly indicate a temporary absence for work-related duties, especially when the person's location is relevant to the context. For instance, if explaining why a colleague isn't available in the office.

Common error

Avoid using "away on assignment" when describing a permanent relocation or transfer. This phrase implies a temporary absence, not a change in primary work location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "away on assignment" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a temporary state of absence from a primary location due to work responsibilities. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "away on assignment" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a temporary absence for work-related duties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily used in news and media, with a neutral to professional tone. While there are several alternatives, such as "on assignment" or "working remotely", it's important to use the phrase accurately, avoiding confusion with permanent transfers. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively convey the reason for someone's temporary unavailability. Ludwig's examples highlight the diverse contexts in which this phrase is appropriately used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on assignment

Shorter version, omitting "away", implying the person is currently fulfilling a specific task.

out on assignment

Adds emphasis on being physically out of the usual workplace.

on duty elsewhere

Focuses on fulfilling required duties in a different location.

temporarily dispatched

More formal, emphasizing official deployment to another location.

working remotely

Highlights the aspect of working from a different location.

currently seconded

Indicates a temporary transfer to another department or organization.

on a field mission

Implies a specific, often exploratory or investigative, task.

out of office

General phrase indicating absence from the usual workplace.

traveling for work

Focuses on the act of traveling as part of the job.

fulfilling an obligation offsite

Highlights the required nature of the work being done elsewhere.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "away on assignment"?

Being "away on assignment" means that someone is temporarily absent from their usual workplace because they are fulfilling a specific task or duty in another location.

How to use "away on assignment" in a sentence?

You can say, "The journalist is currently "on assignment" in the Middle East", indicating they are reporting from that region.

What are some alternatives to saying "away on assignment"?

Alternatives include "on duty elsewhere", "working remotely", or "traveling for work", depending on the context.

Is "away on assignment" formal or informal?

The phrase "away on assignment" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both professional and journalistic contexts.