be away

USAGE SUMMARY

"be away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean that someone is not at their usual place of residence or work, or they are not present in a particular location. For example, "My parents are away on vacation this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I may be away.

The New York Times

Three months, she would be away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'll be away for three weeks.

The New Yorker

So he'll be away for Christmas?

Independent

I'm not one to be away.

The New York Times

I wanted to be away.

The Guardian

"He'll be away into April," Backe said.

The New York Times

"How can you be away for Christmas?

The New York Times - Magazine

We could be away for a while.

The Guardian - Sport

I shouldn't be away lecturing, she thought.

The New Yorker

"How long will the owners be away?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be away", clarify the reason and duration of absence to provide context for your reader. For example, "I will "be away" on vacation for two weeks" is more informative than just "I will "be away".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the time frame when using "be away". Saying "I will "be away"" without mentioning when or for how long can confuse your audience. Always include a time reference, such as "I will "be away" next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be away" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of absence or being distant from a particular location. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be away" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate a temporary absence from a location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to inform others about someone's whereabouts or unavailability. It enjoys broad usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While mostly neutral, specifying the time frame is crucial to avoid confusion. Alternatives include "be absent", "be gone", and "be out". Proper usage involves clarifying the reason for and duration of the absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be absent

Focuses on the state of not being present.

be gone

Emphasizes the completion of leaving a place.

be out

Highlights being outside of a specific location.

be off

Indicates a departure or leaving.

be traveling

Specifically refers to the act of travelling.

be on vacation

Implies absence due to a holiday.

be on a trip

Similar to traveling, but more specific to a journey.

be remote

Focuses on the distant location.

be elsewhere

Emphasizes presence in another location.

be unavailable

Focuses on the inability to be reached or present.

FAQs

How can I use "be away" in a sentence?

You can use "be away" to indicate someone's absence from a place. For example, "She will "be away" on a business trip next week" or "I don't like to "be away" from home for too long".

What's the difference between "be away" and "be absent"?

"Be away" generally implies a temporary absence from a place, often for a specific reason like vacation or travel. "Be absent" is a more general term that simply means not being present, without necessarily implying travel or a specific reason.

Which is correct, "be away" or "being away"?

Both "be away" and "being away" can be correct depending on the context. "Be away" is often used in future tense or conditional sentences (e.g., "I will "be away""). "Being away" is used as a gerund or in continuous tenses (e.g., "Being away from my family is difficult").

What can I say instead of "be away"?

Alternatives to "be away" include "be gone", "be out", "be travelling", or "be on vacation" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.