not be present

USAGE SUMMARY

"not be present" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is not in a particular place or attending an event. For example, "John will not be present at the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He will not be present, obviously".

The New York Times

Mr. Dole will not be present.

The New York Times

One country will not be present.

The Guardian - Sport

He could not be present for his father's funeral.

The New Yorker

But, as ever, a passengers' representative will not be present.

The New York Times

Quartz clearly will not be present in these rocks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They asked that law enforcement not be present.

The New York Times

The French-Polish director will not be present.

Independent

I regret the fact that they will not be present here anymore".

The New York Times

"Meetings have become very hostile, with people attending who should not be present.

The Guardian

"He should not be present as an actor in any scene of my creation".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not be present" when you want to formally state that someone or something will not be at a specific location or event. It is suitable for professional and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "not be present" in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "won't be there" or "will be absent" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not be present" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a negative predication. It indicates the absence or non-existence of someone or something in a particular place or situation. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not be present" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate absence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase with a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for various professional, academic, and general writing contexts. While highly versatile, remember to avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase appears very commonly in News & Media and Science domains. When aiming for clarity and directness regarding someone or something's absence, "not be present" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be absent

This is a direct synonym, indicating someone or something is not in a specific place.

not attend

Focuses specifically on the act of not going to an event or meeting.

fail to attend

Similar to "not attend", but slightly more formal.

not be in attendance

A more formal way of stating absence from a gathering.

be unavailable

Suggests that someone is unable to be in a particular place or participate in something.

be missing

Implies that something or someone is gone or not where it should be.

be elsewhere

Indicates presence in a different location.

not make an appearance

Emphasizes the failure to show up, especially in a formal setting.

be a no-show

An informal way of saying someone did not attend an event.

not participate

Focuses on the lack of involvement rather than physical presence.

FAQs

How to use "not be present" in a sentence?

You can use "not be present" to indicate absence. For example, "The CEO will "not be present" at the conference".

What can I say instead of "not be present"?

You can use alternatives like "be absent", "not attend", or "be unavailable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "will not present" instead of "not be present"?

While "will not present" could refer to not giving a presentation, it doesn't directly convey absence from a location or event. "Not be present" is more precise for indicating absence.

What's the difference between "not be present" and "not be in attendance"?

"Not be present" is a general way to express absence. "Not be in attendance" is more formal and typically used in official or organizational contexts. They are largely interchangeable, but the latter is more specific to events.