is alone for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is alone for" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a state of being alone for a specific reason or duration, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "She is alone for the weekend while her family is away."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"She is alone for two days, and she waits.

The New York Times

The protagonist is alone for much of the story it's Halloween, and her husband and two young sons have gone out trick-or-treating.

The New Yorker

In some moves, the coach is alone for six months, away from his wife and kids until the kids get out of school and can join him.

The New York Times - Sports

This means that he is alone for at least a third of his waking hours and therefore, unlike his peers, is not engaged in what psychologists call "ego development".

The New Yorker

Ms. Shourd expressed the greatest despair because while the two men share a "room," she is alone for 23 hours a day and is allowed only two 30-minute visits with her friends each day.

The New York Times

My brother can let me know his son is alone, for example, and I'm in a better position to help because his house has cameras or sensors that talk to my IoT devices.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He's been alone for twenty-seven years.

The New Yorker

I'd been alone for four hours.

The New Yorker

For real hermitude you are alone for years and years.

The Guardian - Travel

Mrs. Walker was glad to be alone for a while.

The New Yorker

"He was alone for so long, he needs to speak".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's state of being alone for a period, consider using stronger and more grammatically correct alternatives like "is by themselves for" or "is on their own for" to improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "is alone for" as it can sound unnatural in formal writing. Opt for clearer constructions like "is by themselves for" or "is spending time alone" to express the intended meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is alone for" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to describe a state of solitude lasting for a specific duration. However, Ludwig AI identifies this construction as grammatically awkward, which impacts its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is alone for" appears in various sources, including news and online articles, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intention is to convey a state of solitude lasting a specific duration. However, it's advisable to use clearer, more grammatically sound alternatives such as "is by themselves for" or "is on their own for". These alternatives enhance clarity and improve the overall quality of your writing. While "is alone for" might be understood, it's best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts to maintain a polished and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on their own for

Rephrases to emphasize independence and self-reliance during the specified period.

is by themselves for

Replaces "alone" with "by themselves" to emphasize independence and removes the sense of duration.

is solitary for

Substitutes "alone" with "solitary" highlighting a chosen or preferred state of being alone and retains duration sense.

remains isolated for

Emphasizes a lack of connection and the period of isolation.

is unaccompanied for

Focuses on the absence of companions during a specific time.

is solo for

Replaces "alone" with a more casual "solo", retaining the sense of being by oneself for a set time.

is without company for

Highlights the lack of companionship, emphasizing the social aspect of being alone during a certain period.

is unescorted for

Highlights the absence of an escort or chaperone during a specific time.

is isolated for the duration of

Emphasizes a lack of connection and specifies the period of isolation using an alternate structure.

is in solitude for

Highlights the state of being alone in a peaceful or intentional way.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "is alone for"?

You can use phrases like "is by themselves for", "is on their own for", or "is spending time alone" to express the idea of being alone for a duration.

Is "is alone for" grammatically correct?

While you might find instances of "is alone for", it's generally considered grammatically awkward. It's better to use alternatives that provide more clarity and a smoother reading experience.

How can I use "is alone for" in a sentence?

While not recommended, if you must use it, ensure the context is very clear. However, consider alternatives like "She "is by herself for" the weekend" instead of "She "is alone for" the weekend."

What's the difference between "is alone for" and "is alone"?

"Is alone" simply describes a state of being solitary. Adding "for" implies a duration, but it's more common and grammatically sound to specify the duration using other prepositions or phrases like "is alone for the weekend" or "is alone during the day".