go absent

USAGE SUMMARY

"go absent" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean to leave a location temporarily, usually without notice, or to cause something to disappear. For example: "The party guests suddenly started to go absent when the police arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some soldiers began to go absent without leave.

The New Yorker

"I am stuck with nowhere to go — absent trashing my credit and defaulting".

The New York Times

At that point I decided that to protect myself my only course of action was to go absent.

Independent

Hagel declined to say whether he believes Bergdahl was attempting to desert the army or go absent without leave when he walked away from his unit and disappeared nearly five years ago.

The Guardian

Military officials say it is not uncommon for officers visiting from countries where life is hard to get a glimpse of the American dream while studying here and go absent without leave.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The defence secretary's brain has gone absent without leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

After deployment, Mr. Bunn, suicidal and haunted by nightmares, went absent without leave.

The New York Times

But the war hero trumps the national guardsman who went absent without leave.

The Guardian

And they can also survive leadership changes, as the Gambino family proved when Paul Castellano and John Gotti went absent.

The New York Times

Would I notice if someone went absent for six months, a year, three years?

The Guardian - Film

He managed cleverly to got out of the caged dog-run and went absent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go absent", consider whether a more specific verb (e.g., disappear, vanish, leave) would provide greater clarity or impact.

Common error

While "go absent" is acceptable, it might sound less formal than alternatives like "become absent" or "absent oneself" in professional writing. Choose vocabulary that fits your text's overall tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "go absent" is that of a verb phrase, where "go" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "absent", describing a state of being away. Ludwig provides real world examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go absent" is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as a verb phrase to describe a transition into a state of absence. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in written English. While not the most frequent expression, it is understandable and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. Consider context and desired formality when choosing between "go absent" and alternatives like "become absent" or "disappear". Be mindful of tone and audience to ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become absent

Emphasizes the state of being away, focusing on the resulting condition.

turn absent

Highlights a change in status towards being away.

vanish

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance.

disappear

Similar to vanish, but can also mean to gradually fade from view.

go missing

Suggests that someone or something is lost or cannot be found.

leave without notice

Focuses on the lack of warning before departure.

absent oneself

A more formal way of saying to be absent.

become unavailable

Highlights the lack of accessibility.

retire from sight

Suggests a deliberate withdrawal from view or participation.

cease to be present

A formal and somewhat indirect way of stating absence.

FAQs

How can I use "go absent" in a sentence?

You can use "go absent" to describe someone or something leaving, often unexpectedly. For example, "The key reason why the top official "went absent" was because he had been accused of bribery and corruption."

What is the difference between "go absent" and "go missing"?

"Go absent" typically implies a temporary or unauthorized departure, whereas "go missing" suggests that someone is lost or their whereabouts are unknown.

Are there any formal alternatives to "go absent"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "absent oneself" or "become absent" in more formal contexts.

Is it grammatically correct to use "go absent"?

Yes, "go absent" is grammatically correct, although not the most common phrasing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.