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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is are absent
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is are absent" is not correct in English and cannot be used as it stands.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "is" and "are" cannot be used together in this way. Example: "The students are absent today."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
My greatest challenge in facing this situation is being absent from my family.
Academia
It isn't that he's been absent from film.
News & Media
Of course, it's not the only topic that's been absent from the debates.
News & Media
That's the kind of hard-hitting populism that's been absent from the Obama campaign so far.
News & Media
"Back in 2002/2003 she rivalled Gary Naylor for OBO web coverage, but she's been absent for years now.
News & Media
His landlord, an ex-copper, is the only one who cares enough to report that he's been absent from work for three days.
News & Media
But it requires government to be a partner in the larger antipoverty struggle, something that's been absent in the past.
News & Media
"We need to insert climate change into the narrative, it's been absent from the whole debate ever since the report came out".
News & Media
He's been absent from Smackdown for weeks, and while the Blue Brand misses him, it has survived as well.
News & Media
There's a harmony to the design of the fourth-generation car that's been absent since the first one.
News & Media
For playwright Greenberg, who's been absent the last few years, this is a busy time.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always ensure subject-verb agreement. Use "is" for singular subjects and "are" for plural subjects when describing absence or presence.
Common error
Avoid using "is are" together. This construction incorrectly mixes singular and plural verb forms. Choose the correct verb form based on whether the subject is singular or plural.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is are absent" is a grammatical error due to incorrect subject-verb agreement. The verbs "is" and "are" cannot be used together in this way. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase does not conform to standard English grammar.
Frequent in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is are absent" is grammatically incorrect due to a mismatch in subject-verb agreement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase violates basic English grammar rules, rendering it unsuitable for use in any context. To express absence correctly, use either "is absent" for singular subjects or "are absent" for plural subjects. Remember that proper grammar enhances clarity and credibility in communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is missing
Uses the singular verb "is" with "missing" to describe something that is not present. The subject requires a singular verb form.
is not present
Replaces "absent" with "not present", using the singular verb "is" for singular subjects. Suitable for formal contexts.
are missing
Uses the plural verb "are" with "missing" to describe multiple items that are not present. The subject requires a plural verb form.
are not present
Replaces "absent" with "not present", using the plural verb "are" for plural subjects. Suitable for formal contexts.
is lacking
Uses the singular verb "is" with "lacking" to express a deficiency. It is used when something is needed but unavailable.
are lacking
Uses the plural verb "are" with "lacking" to express deficiencies. It is used when multiple things are needed but unavailable.
is unavailable
Uses the singular verb "is" to indicate that something cannot be accessed or obtained. Conveys a sense of impossibility.
are unavailable
Uses the plural verb "are" to indicate that multiple things cannot be accessed or obtained. Conveys a sense of impossibility.
is nowhere to be found
Uses the singular verb "is" to emphasize that something cannot be located. Highlights the mystery of the absence.
are nowhere to be found
Uses the plural verb "are" to emphasize that multiple things cannot be located. Highlights the mystery of the absence.
FAQs
Why is "is are absent" grammatically incorrect?
The phrase "is are absent" is incorrect because it combines the singular verb "is" with the plural verb "are". Subject-verb agreement requires using the correct verb form based on whether the subject is singular or plural. Valid alternatives include "is missing" (singular) or "are missing" (plural).
When should I use "is absent" instead of "are absent"?
"Is absent" should be used when referring to a singular subject, for example, "The student is absent today." "Are absent" should be used with plural subjects, such as, "The students are absent today." Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement.
What are some alternatives to saying something "is absent"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is missing", "is not present", "is lacking", or "is unavailable". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.
How can I avoid making errors with subject-verb agreement?
To ensure correct subject-verb agreement, always identify the subject of the sentence and determine whether it is singular or plural. Then, choose the verb form that agrees with the subject. For example, use "is" with singular nouns and "are" with plural nouns.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested