be offline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be offline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of not being connected to the internet, such as when someone isn't available on certain online platforms. For example, you can say "I'm going to be offline for a few hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'll be offline for a while.

Independent

As of this morning, the website appeared to be offline.

Independent

During the maintenance, ImageNow, WebNow, and Jadu will be offline.

Cornell University

Outage: It's unclear how long Gab will be offline.

MIT Technology Review

The program's default options were set to make users appear to be offline.

The New York Times - Tech

During this maintenance, Cornell's Blackboard system will be offline and unavailable.

Cornell University

Warning: as of November 1, 2017, this site appears to be offline.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

(Google says that an upgrade this summer will at least permit you to read your e-mail, calendar and Google Docs when you're offline, and that over time, more apps will be written to be offline-usable).

The New York Times - Tech

Every process in a pod can be offline-migrated to another physical machine by using a checkpoint mechanism.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

Mail service is offline.

University of California, Berkeley

Gomes's throw is offline!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling downtime or planned periods of being unreachable, clearly communicate the timeframe during which you will "be offline" to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "offline" in contexts where you mean "off-color" (inappropriate or slightly offensive). "Offline" refers to a state of disconnection, not to something being inappropriate. Consider the context carefully to avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be offline" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating a state of disconnection from a network, particularly the internet. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It commonly follows auxiliary verbs such as 'will' or 'to be' forms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

32%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be offline" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe a state of disconnection from a network, particularly the internet. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and wide acceptance. It serves the purpose of informing others about your temporary inaccessibility on digital platforms. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings, from professional announcements to casual conversations. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the duration and scope of your unavailability. While primarily used in technical contexts, avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "off-color", which has a completely different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disconnect from the internet

Focuses specifically on internet disconnection.

Become unavailable

Broadens the scope to any form of unavailability, not just technical.

Drop off the network

Emphasizes the loss of network connectivity.

Become unreachable

Similar to become unavailable, but with a focus on failing to reach the entity.

Go off-grid

Implies a more deliberate and complete disconnection from networked systems and utilities.

Cease communication

Highlights the halt of any communicative activity.

Log off

Refers specifically to ending a session on a computer system.

Power down

Implies shutting down a device which results in being offline.

Go silent

Similar to 'go dark' but without necessarily implying negative connotations.

Go dark

Suggests a complete cessation of communication or visibility, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be offline"?

To "be offline" means to be disconnected from a network, especially the internet. It can also refer to activities or interactions that happen in the physical world rather than online.

How can I say that I will not be available on the internet?

You can say "I will "be offline"", "I will not have internet access", or "I will be out of contact" depending on the specific reason and context.

Is it correct to say 'I am offline'?

Yes, it is correct to say 'I am offline'. It means you are currently not connected to the internet or available through online communication channels.

What's the difference between 'offline' and '"unreachable"'?

'Offline' specifically refers to being disconnected from a network or the internet. '"Unreachable"' is more general and means that someone or something cannot be contacted, regardless of the reason.