not in attendance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in attendance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is not present at an event or gathering. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, she was not in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His mother was not in attendance.

The New York Times

Many family members were not in attendance.

The New York Times

Kahn was not in attendance.

The Guardian

The film's other producer, Brad Pitt, was not in attendance.

The Guardian - Film

His fiercely devoted wife, Elsbeth, was not in attendance.

The Guardian

Steinbrenner, the team's principal owner, was not in attendance today.

The New York Times - Sports

Justices Ginsburg, Alito and Thomas are apparently not in attendance.

The New York Times

"They are not in attendance today," Mr. Nardelli says.

The New York Times

His wife, Judi, however, was not in attendance.

The New York Times

James L. Dolan, the Garden chairman, was not in attendance.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's those not in attendance who pose the real issues towards moving forward".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not in attendance" in formal writing when you need to clearly state someone's absence from an event. It is particularly useful in reports, minutes, or official communications where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "not in attendance" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "absent" or "not there" are more appropriate for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in attendance" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the absence of someone from a particular event or location. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not in attendance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate someone's absence from an event or gathering. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage. While it functions as an adjectival phrase, it is more suited for neutral to formal contexts like news reports or official records. Alternatives such as "absent" or "did not attend" may be used depending on the level of formality required. Overusing the phrase in casual contexts should be avoided for a more natural tone. Its prevalence in news and media sources highlights its role in documenting participation and presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent

A shorter, more direct synonym for not being present.

not present

A more formal and neutral way of saying someone was not there.

did not attend

Focuses on the action of not being at an event, rather than a state of being.

was missing

Implies that someone's presence was expected or noticed.

not on hand

Indicates unavailability or absence from a specific location.

not there

A simple and informal way of stating someone's absence.

away

Suggests that someone is at a different location and unable to be present.

nowhere to be seen

Emphasizes the lack of someone's presence, often implying a search.

not participating

Highlights the lack of involvement in an activity or event.

unreachable

Indicates the impossibility of contacting or reaching someone at the time.

FAQs

What does "not in attendance" mean?

The phrase "not in attendance" means that someone is not present at a particular event, meeting, or gathering. It's a formal way of saying someone is "absent" or "not present".

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

You can use "not in attendance" to state that someone was absent. For example, "The CEO was not in attendance at the annual shareholder meeting."

What are some alternatives to "not in attendance"?

Alternatives include "absent", "not present", "did not attend", or "was missing", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "not in attendance" or "absent"?

"Not in attendance" is generally more formal than "absent". Use "not in attendance" in official reports or minutes. "Absent" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.