prolonged absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prolonged absence" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is going to be away for an extended period of time. For example: - The employee's prolonged absence was due to a family emergency. - His prolonged absence from school caused him to fall behind in his studies. - The company's profits suffered during the CEO's prolonged absence for medical treatment. - We had to cancel the event due to the speaker's prolonged absence. - The teacher's prolonged absence forced the class to have substitute teachers for several weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Duke recognizes that, during a regular staff member's career, circumstances may arise which require prolonged absence from work.

Duke University

The suspects' families live in humble Tijuana neighborhoods and have suffered because of the men's prolonged absence.

Los Angeles Times

The participants have not had prolonged absence from work during these reference periods.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

A prolonged absence by York could hurt this week.

The New York Times - Sports

And what is our prolonged absence doing to our children?

The Guardian

Days earlier, authorities, suspicious about his prolonged absence from work, had visited their home.

The Guardian

Neither is Bernard concerned about the prolonged absence of one of his team, Elsie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mourning's prolonged absence does have Riley, the team president, mulling his options for another big man.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus a premature return is less surprising from Chávez than a prolonged absence," said Corrales.

The Guardian

Of further detriment was his prolonged absence from the heartland of the empire.

Britannica

A prolonged absence would pose a huge question for the Blues as the playoffs approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prolonged absence", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for and impact of the absence.

Common error

Avoid using "prolonged absence" when referring to short-term or temporary leaves. "Prolonged" implies a significant duration, so ensure it aligns with the actual length of absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolonged absence" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "prolonged" modifies the noun "absence". It describes a state of being away for an extended duration. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

5%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prolonged absence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an extended period of being away. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and science, and carries a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for and impact of the absence. Related phrases include "extended leave", "long-term absence", and "lengthy time away". Avoid using "prolonged absence" when referring to short-term or temporary leaves.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-term absence

Uses "long-term" to emphasize the duration of the absence.

sustained period of absence

More formal and emphasizes the continuous nature of the absence.

protracted period of absence

Uses "protracted" to denote a drawn-out or prolonged duration.

long-lasting absence

Emphasizes the enduring nature of the absence.

extended leave

Focuses specifically on authorized time away from work or duties.

lengthy leave

Similar to "extended leave", but emphasizes the duration.

continued absence

Highlights the ongoing nature of the absence.

extended period away

Rephrases the absence as a period of being away.

lengthy time away

Focuses on the extended duration of time spent away.

significant time off

Uses more casual language to describe a considerable amount of time taken off.

FAQs

How to use "prolonged absence" in a sentence?

You can use "prolonged absence" to describe an extended period of being away. For instance, "The project suffered due to her prolonged absence" or "His prolonged absence from work raised concerns".

What can I say instead of "prolonged absence"?

You can use alternatives like "extended leave", "long-term absence", or "lengthy time away depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prolonged absence" or "long absence"?

"Prolonged absence" emphasizes a longer duration compared to "long absence". Both are grammatically correct, but "prolonged absence" suggests a more significant and extended period.

What's the difference between "prolonged absence" and "temporary absence"?

"Prolonged absence" refers to an extended period away, while "temporary absence" indicates a short-term or brief period away. The key difference is the duration and impact of the absence.