has been absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has not been present for a certain period of time. Example: "She has been absent from school for the past week due to illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the last 13 winter meetings, Torre has been absent.

The New York Times - Sports

Heracles has been absent, fighting and performing his 12 labours.

The Guardian - Books

She has been absent 28 days so far this year.

The New York Times

Paul O'Neill has been absent since the middle of May.

The New York Times - Sports

Real laughter has been absent in the White House lately.

The New York Times

Aamer has been absent through all these events and changes.

Independent

"This is at the heart of command responsibility, which has been absent so far in this".

The New York Times

The hitting has been absent, and the bullpen has been hit hard.

The New York Times - Sports

It is understood Richards has been absent from LBC's London HQ since last month.

The Guardian

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts has been absent because of illness.

The New York Times

Obama has been absent from the Muslim community for many years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you want to convey: "has been absent" is generally neutral. For a more formal tone, use "has not been present". For implying a problem, consider "has been lacking".

Common error

Avoid using "has been absent" when "has been lacking" is more appropriate. "Has been absent" typically refers to a physical or temporal absence, while "has been lacking" refers to a deficiency in quality or quantity. Using them interchangeably can confuse your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been absent" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being away or missing. Ludwig provides examples that show it modifying nouns (e.g., "Torre has been absent"), indicating a past condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been absent" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something has not been present for a particular duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, the specific nuance can be adjusted by choosing related phrases like "has been missing" for a stronger sense of loss, or "has not been present" for a more formal register. Avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "has been lacking", which implies a deficiency rather than a physical absence, is crucial for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been missing

Indicates a state of being lost or not present, similar to "has been absent" but often implies a stronger sense of loss or concern.

has been away

Suggests a temporary departure or absence, often implying a return is expected.

has not been present

A more formal way of saying "has been absent", emphasizing the lack of presence.

has been lacking

Focuses on the deficiency of something rather than physical absence.

has been unavailable

Implies that someone or something could not be reached or accessed.

has been deficient

Highlights a shortage or inadequacy, often in a more technical or evaluative context.

has been excluded

Suggests a deliberate act of keeping something or someone out.

has been omitted

Indicates something has been intentionally left out or skipped.

has been without

Emphasizes the lack of something necessary or desirable.

has ceased to be

A more dramatic way of saying something no longer exists or is present.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "has been absent"?

Alternatives include "has been missing", "has been away", or "has not been present", depending on the context.

When is it more appropriate to use "has been lacking" instead of "has been absent"?

"Has been lacking" is more suitable when referring to the absence of a quality or feature, rather than a physical presence. For example: "Attention to detail has been lacking in this project".

How do I use "has been absent" in a sentence?

Use "has been absent" to indicate that someone or something has not been present for a certain period. For instance: "He has been absent from work due to illness."

Is there a difference in formality between "has been absent" and "has not been present"?

"Has not been present" is generally more formal than "has been absent". Use "has not been present" in professional or academic writing for a more elevated tone.