have been absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has not been present for a certain period of time, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have been absent from class for the past week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His father appears to have been absent.

The New York Times

(Many Democrats have been absent, too).

The New Yorker

Not that words have been absent from "Music at Hillwood".

The New York Times

This is not because revolutionary pressures have been absent.

The Economist

Wars between great powers, also hugely destructive, have been absent for almost as long – 62 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The financial incentives that have sweetened the pot in the past have been absent.

The New York Times

She dedicated a poem of gratitude to Nicolson: "I have been absent.

The Guardian - Books

They have been absent from our patch of woods, but not from the neighborhood.

The New York Times

First principles of taxation have been absent or implied rather than stated forthrightly.

The New York Times

Few bands, though, have been absent for as long as Guns N'Roses.

Independent

His performance exudes qualities that have been absent from him on screen for some time: fallibility, humility, warmth.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been absent", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason or duration of the absence for better clarity. For example: "The key witnesses "have been absent" due to travel restrictions".

Common error

Avoid confusing "have been absent" with similar tenses. Using "were absent" might change the meaning to a completed state rather than a continuing or recently concluded absence. Make sure to choose the tense according to the correct meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

Have been absent functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a state of absence that has persisted over time. Ludwig AI, confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across different contexts. The phrase connects a past state of being away with present implications, as seen in the example: "The essential safety measures "have been absent", raising concerns...".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been absent" is grammatically sound and widely used, as validated by Ludwig AI. It indicates a continuous state of being away or lacking, typically with relevance to the present. Its usage is most frequent in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. When writing, ensure that the tense aligns with the intended meaning and context. Alternative phrases such as "have been missing" or "have not been present" can be used to add variety or nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been missing

Focuses more on the sense of something or someone being longed for or needed, but not present.

have been away

Implies a temporary departure or relocation from a place or situation.

have not been present

A more formal and direct way of stating that someone or something was not there.

have been unavailable

Highlights the inability to be reached or accessed, often due to circumstances.

have been lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of a required element or quality.

have been omitted

Suggests that something has been intentionally left out or excluded.

have not attended

Specifically refers to the failure to be present at a scheduled event or gathering.

have been deficient

Emphasizes the inadequacy or incompleteness due to the absence of something.

have been excluded

Highlights the act of being deliberately kept out or prevented from participating.

have been skipped

Indicates that something has been passed over or avoided, often in a sequence.

FAQs

How do I use "have been absent" correctly in a sentence?

Use "have been absent" to indicate a period of absence that has relevance to the present. For instance, "The essential safety measures "have been absent", raising concerns about workplace safety".

What are some alternatives to using "have been absent"?

You can use phrases like "have been missing", "have not been present", or "have been away" depending on the context. These alternatives provide slightly different nuances but convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "have been absent" and "were absent"?

"Have been absent" implies the absence started in the past and continues to have relevance to the present, while "were absent" indicates a completed period of absence without necessarily impacting the present. Example: "Critical data points "have been absent" from the report, hindering analysis" versus "They "were absent" from the meeting last week".

In what contexts is "have been absent" most appropriately used?

The phrase "have been absent" is suitable in formal contexts such as news reports, academic papers, or professional communications where precise and clear language is required. It's used to describe the absence of individuals, objects, or qualities over a period.