been out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been out of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of something or to describe a situation where someone has not been present in a particular place or situation for a period of time. Example: "I have been out of the office for the past week due to illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She'd been out of school.

The New Yorker

He'd never been out of Brooklyn.

The New Yorker

I've been out of town.

MIT Technology Review

I've been out of here.

The New York Times

I've been out of the government.

Cornell University

NAIROBI — "Sorry I've been out of touch.

The New York Times

He's been out of the lineup since.

The New York Times - Sports

But you've never been out of work.

Independent

It has never been out of print.

The New York Times - Science

I've been out of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Spending has been out-of-control.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been out of" to describe a temporary absence, specify the duration or reason for the absence to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "being out of" when "been out of" is grammatically required to complete a present perfect or past perfect tense. For instance, say "I have been out of town", not "I am being out of town".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been out of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used within verb phrases to indicate absence, exclusion, or a change of state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Sport

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been out of" is a versatile prepositional phrase widely used to indicate an absence or exclusion from a place, activity, or condition. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. The most common usage involves describing a temporary absence or a change in status, such as "been out of town" or "been out of work". While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to the specific context to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed accurately. Avoid common errors like confusing it with "being out of", and always provide sufficient context to clarify the reason and duration of the absence. With its high frequency and broad applicability, mastering the correct usage of "been out of" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been away from

Focuses on physical absence from a place.

been absent from

Emphasizes a formal or official absence.

been excluded from

Highlights the lack of inclusion or participation.

been excluded

Highlights the lack of inclusion or participation.

not been involved in

Indicates a lack of participation or engagement.

not participated in

Indicates a lack of participation or engagement.

been detached from

Suggests a sense of disconnection or alienation.

been disconnected from

Suggests a sense of disconnection or alienation.

no longer part of

Implies a previous association that has ended.

separated from

Focuses on the act of being divided or distanced.

FAQs

What does "been out of" mean?

The phrase "been out of" generally indicates an absence from a place, state, or activity. Its specific meaning depends on the context, such as "been out of town" indicating travel, or "been out of work" signifying unemployment.

How can I use "been out of" in a sentence?

You can use "been out of" to describe various situations, like "I've "been out of the office" all week", "She's "been out of the loop" lately", or "He's "been out of work" since last year".

What are some alternatives to "been out of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "been away from", "been absent from", or "not been involved in".

Is it correct to say "I am being out of" instead of "I have been out of"?

No, "I am being out of" is generally incorrect when referring to a state of absence. The correct phrase is "I have been out of", which uses the present perfect tense to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present.