he is gone

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is gone" is a perfectly acceptable sentence in written English.
It can be used any time to describe a situation in which someone has left and is no longer present. For example, "John planned to meet us for lunch, but he is gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he is gone.

The New York Times

Now he is gone.

The New York Times

"He is gone.

The New York Times

And now he is gone.

The New York Times

And then he is gone.

The New Yorker

"He is gone," he said.

The New York Times

When he is gone.

The Guardian - Books

He is gone from the room.

The New Yorker

"And he is gone," he said.

The New Yorker

Then one day he is gone.

The New Yorker

He is gone but not forgotten.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emotional weight, follow "he is gone" with a descriptive phrase or clause explaining the impact of their absence, such as "he is gone, leaving a void in our lives".

Common error

Avoid using "he is gone" when the person's absence is temporary and they are expected to return soon. Instead, use phrases like "he is out" or "he is away" to indicate a temporary absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is gone" functions as a declarative statement. It asserts the absence of a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, as seen in the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is gone" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a male person is no longer present. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, its precise meaning (departure or death) is context-dependent. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the intended level of formality and avoid using it for temporary absences where alternatives like "he is away" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has left

A simple and direct way of saying someone has gone away.

he is no longer here

Directly states his absence from the current location, emphasizing presence versus absence.

he has departed

Uses a more formal verb to indicate leaving, suggesting a permanent or significant departure.

he is absent

Focuses on his state of being away, often implying a temporary absence.

he's disappeared

Suggests a sudden or mysterious departure, implying an unknown whereabouts.

he took off

Informal way of saying someone left quickly or suddenly.

he is out of here

An informal expression indicating a quick or abrupt departure.

he has moved on

Implies a transition to a new phase or location, often used metaphorically.

he's passed away

Euphemism for death, indicating a permanent departure from life.

he's bailed

Slang term for leaving abruptly, often to avoid something unpleasant.

FAQs

What does "he is gone" mean?

The phrase "he is gone" means that a male person has left a place or situation, or has died. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "he is gone" in a sentence?

You can use "he is gone" to describe someone's departure: "John planned to meet us, but "he has left"". Or to describe someone who has died: "I can't believe "he passed away"".

What are some alternatives to saying "he is gone"?

Alternatives include "he has departed", "he is no longer here", or "he has left" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "he is gone" formal or informal?

"He is gone" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and situation.