he was off

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was off" is a grammatically correct sentence and is commonly used in written English.
It is often used to refer to someone leaving or departing, or to something being turned off. For example: He was off to the airport while we were still fast asleep.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he was off.

The New York Times - Sports

He was off the team.

The New York Times - Sports

He was off the charts.

The New York Times - Sports

And then he was off.

Independent

Then, he was off again.

The New York Times

He was off again.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the party, he was off again.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then he was off and running.

The New Yorker

He was off by only 18 blocks.

The New York Times

He was off to Vietnam soon thereafter.

The New Yorker

He was off his game".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was off" to mean someone left, ensure the context clearly indicates departure (e.g., "He said goodbye, and then he was off.").

Common error

Avoid using "he was off" when you mean "he is off" (meaning he has time off work). "He was off" implies a past departure, while "he is off" implies a current state of being away or having time off.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was off" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating departure, absence, or a state of being incorrect. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and common in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was off" is a versatile expression frequently used to indicate departure, absence, or being incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly conveys the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity. Understanding its nuances helps in effective communication across various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had left

Focuses on the action of departing, emphasizing the completion of leaving.

he was out

Simple and direct way to indicate absence or departure.

he had departed

More formal way to say someone left, emphasizing the act of leaving.

he was away

Similar to 'he was out', focusing on his absence.

he took off

Informal way of saying he left quickly or suddenly.

he went away

General way to describe someone leaving a place or situation.

he made off

Emphasizes a hurried or secretive departure.

he was dismissed

Implies he was removed from a position or responsibility.

he was incorrect

Indicates a state of being wrong or inaccurate.

he was mistaken

Suggests he made an error or misjudgment.

FAQs

What does "he was off" mean?

The phrase "he was off" can mean that someone has left a place or started a journey. It can also mean someone was incorrect or not performing well.

How can I use "he was off" in a sentence?

You can use "he was off" in a sentence like, "He finished his speech, and then "he had left"." Alternatively, "He was off his game today" suggests poor performance.

What's the difference between "he was off" and "he is off"?

"He was off" typically describes a past event, such as leaving a place or being incorrect at a specific time. "He is off" usually indicates that someone is currently not working or has time off.

What are some alternatives to saying "he was off" when someone left?

Instead of "he was off", you could say "he took off", "he had departed", or "he went away" depending on the context.