not attending

USAGE SUMMARY

"not attending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to contrast with a particular event, activity, or class one might usually be a part of. For example, "John is not attending the meeting on Monday due to a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not attending.

The New Yorker

Their daughter is not attending school.

The New Yorker

Was I not attending class regularly?

The New York Times - Arts

But he is still not attending school.

The Guardian

Not attending but, apparently, afraid to say so.

The New Yorker

10.01am GMT The Queen is not attending shadow cabinet today.

The Guardian

He is essentially a minister not attending cabinet.

The Guardian

Dylan is not alone in not attending the ceremony.

The Guardian - Music

Malone disappointed Coach Phil Jackson by not attending the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lance, a native South African, is not attending.

The New York Times

Mr. Bourgeois was not attending the Microsoft hearing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not attending" to clearly state someone's absence from an event or activity. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "not attending" when a more specific term like "absent" or "skipping" would provide clearer context. For instance, use "skipping class" instead of "not attending class" if the absence is intentional and perhaps unauthorized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not attending" functions as a present participle phrase often used as part of a verb phrase to indicate that someone is absent or will be absent from a specific event, activity, or place. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not attending" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express absence from an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and business publications. It serves primarily to inform or state someone's non-participation and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When a more specific nuance is desired, alternatives such as "absent from" or "skipping" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not attend

Past tense form emphasizing the action of not going.

not present

Directly states the lack of presence.

not participating

Focuses on the lack of involvement in an activity.

absent from

Indicates a physical absence from a place or event.

will not be present

Future tense emphasizing a planned absence.

missing

Highlights that someone or something is not where it should be.

declining to participate

Formal way of saying someone refused to take part.

skipping

Implies a deliberate choice to miss something, often informally.

opting out

Suggests a conscious decision to withdraw from something.

staying away from

Emphasizes avoidance of a place or event.

FAQs

How can I use "not attending" in a sentence?

You can use "not attending" to indicate someone's absence from an event or activity. For example, "She is "not attending" the conference due to a prior engagement."

What are some alternatives to saying "not attending"?

Alternatives include "absent from", "did not attend", or "skipping", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not attending"?

Yes, "not attending" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. It serves as a present participle phrase indicating absence.

What's the difference between "not attending" and "absent from"?

"Not attending" generally refers to a specific event or activity, while "absent from" implies a more general state of being away from a place. For instance, "She is "not attending" the meeting" versus "She is "absent from" school today".