not attending school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not attending school" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it whenever you are discussing someone not participating in school, either due to illness or other extenuating circumstances. For example, "The teen was not attending school due to an illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their daughter is not attending school.

The New Yorker

But he is still not attending school.

The Guardian

Most of the rest are likely in Portuguese-language schools or not attending school.

The New York Times

(In Philadelphia, we worry about students not attending school, not students attending school).

The New York Times

They make home visits to students who are not attending school and work with students' families.

The New York Times

Some three million kids are not attending school — in a population of twenty-two million.

The New Yorker

Marleny, who was not attending school at the time, often visited an aunt somewhere in the Bronx.

The New York Times

Neither they nor their parents were even asked by their local education authority why they were not attending school.

The Guardian

They have been waiting for months, their anxiety is getting worse and they are not attending school.

The Guardian

About 7.6 million children need humanitarian assistance and 2.7 million are not attending school, according to Unicef.

The Guardian

"Thousands have died from cholera and many students are not attending school or university because teachers are not paid.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add precision, include the reasons why someone is "not attending school". This provides crucial context to your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "not attending school" when you mean "skipping school" or "truant". The former implies a more systemic issue (e.g. poverty, displacement), while the latter suggests behavioral issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not attending school" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often used to indicate the status of an individual (usually a child or adolescent) regarding their participation in formal education. It specifies a state of absence from regular school attendance. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not attending school" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the state of being absent from or not enrolled in an educational institution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, often to discuss educational statistics, personal circumstances, or systemic issues affecting school attendance. While generally neutral in tone, the phrase can become more formal depending on the surrounding context. To enhance clarity, specify the reasons for non-attendance and the age group being discussed. Alternatives include "out of school" and "not enrolled in school", offering nuanced ways to convey the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of school

A general term for not being part of the schooling system.

absent from school

Focuses on the state of being away from school, often temporarily.

missing school

Emphasizes the act of being absent, potentially implying a problem or concern.

not enrolled in school

Highlights the lack of official registration or participation in an educational institution.

not attending classes

Similar but can refer to specific lectures not being physically attended, could still be enrolled

skipping school

Implies intentional absence, often without permission or valid reason.

not in education

A broader term that includes any form of structured learning, not just school.

staying away from school

Highlights the act of deliberately avoiding school.

not receiving education

Focuses on the lack of educational instruction, regardless of enrollment status.

withdrawn from school

Indicates a formal process of leaving or being removed from the school system.

FAQs

What does it mean if a child is "not attending school"?

The phrase "not attending school" generally means that a child or adolescent is not currently enrolled in or physically present at an educational institution. This could be due to various reasons, including illness, family circumstances, economic hardship, or systemic issues like lack of access to education.

What are some other ways to say "not attending school"?

Alternatives to "not attending school" include "out of school", "not enrolled in school", "absent from school", or "missing school". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not attending school" or "not going to school"?

"Not attending school" is generally considered more formal and implies a broader situation, while "not going to school" can sometimes suggest a temporary absence or individual choice. For official reports or formal writing, "not attending school" is often preferred.

What factors contribute to children "not attending school"?

Various factors can contribute to children "not attending school", including poverty, conflict, displacement, discrimination, lack of access to schools, child labor, and cultural norms that prioritize other activities over education. These factors often intersect and create complex barriers to education.