considerable time away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considerable time away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant duration of absence from a place or situation. Example: "After considerable time away from the office, I finally returned to catch up on my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But whether those numbers reflect a genuine decline is a matter of debate, given that large numbers of service members have spent considerable time away on deployments and that the strengthening of sanctions for domestic violence has made some women more reluctant to report abuse.

The New York Times

Since his marriage in 1905, Hill had spent considerable time away from his wife with his commitments during two Test series against England and this may have also influenced his decision not to tour.

Wikipedia

Often, she spends considerable time away from her family.

Unicef

The mandatory provision of crèche facilities at worksites appeared to exist only on paper and mothers had to spend a considerable time away from infant feeding and care.

BMJ Open

1 2 5 7 8 Shoulder dislocations are common and severe injuries in rugby players leads to considerable time away from training and matches.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Consultancy is not your average 9-5 job: you can spend a considerable amount of time away from home.

The Guardian

For example, if a participant spent a considerable amount of time away from the home prior to urine sampling, their urinary levels likely reflect exposures in microenvironments other than the home.

Environmental Science & Technology

She spent considerable time working out a plan.

The Guardian - Books

Whenever a country has to defend a legal case it has to divert considerable time, attention and resources away from focusing on poverty reduction, health and education and we must do everything we can to stop this shameful practice.

Unicef

If you're like many people, you've put considerable time and effort into socking away money for retirement.

Forbes

Lacking the equipment required to drill a rescue shaft, the authorities had been forced to requisition a heavy-duty bore from Bremen (approximately 100 miles, or 160 kilometres, away); the considerable time needed to transport the device by rail to Lengede had severely reduced the chances of a successful recovery.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing professional commitments, use "considerable time away" to highlight the impact of travel or remote work on personal life and family.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable time away" when a shorter, more casual phrase like "a while" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable time away" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It specifies the duration of being absent from a particular place, activity, or situation. Ludwig confirms its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "considerable time away" effectively communicates a prolonged absence and, according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts from news and media to scientific publications and formal business documents. The level of formality leans toward neutral to formal, which makes it suitable for many writing scenarios. When using the phrase, writers should ensure that the duration of the absence is indeed significant to the context and that a simpler expression wouldn't suffice. The diverse examples from Ludwig confirm this observation, highlighting the importance of considering register and context when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant period of absence

Replaces "considerable time" with "significant period", emphasizing the length of the absence.

extended leave of absence

Formal term emphasizing authorized time away, usually from work or duty.

lengthy period of separation

Focuses on the separation aspect, suitable for describing distance or estrangement.

substantial duration of remoteness

Highlights the state of being distant or far removed for a notable time.

prolonged time elsewhere

Emphasizes being in a different location for an extended duration.

extensive period abroad

Specifically refers to a long duration spent in a foreign country.

appreciable time off-site

Focuses on time spent away from a specific location, such as a workplace or project site.

notable duration of detachment

Highlights the act of being detached or disconnected for a significant amount of time.

sizeable amount of leisure time

Focuses on having a significant amount of free time available.

considerable stretch of vacation

Highlights a long vacation or holiday period.

FAQs

How can I use "considerable time away" in a sentence?

You can use "considerable time away" to describe an extended absence from a place or activity. For example: "After a "considerable time away", he returned to his hometown."

What are some alternatives to "considerable time away"?

Alternatives include phrases like "significant period of absence", "extended leave of absence", or "lengthy period of separation", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "considerable time away" or "long time away"?

"Considerable time away" suggests a notable or significant duration, whereas "long time away" is more general. The best choice depends on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

What does "considerable time away" imply about the reason for the absence?

"Considerable time away" primarily emphasizes the duration of the absence, not necessarily the reason. The reason can be inferred from the context of the sentence, but the phrase itself focuses on the length of the separation.