remain absent

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain absent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has yet to return from a period of absence. For example, "After his prolonged illness, Joe has yet to remain absent from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A few extra additions would have improved life, but remain absent: all punctuation remains on a secondary screen (not even a solitary full stop or comma is close at hand) and the inability to customise the keyboard could prove irritating for those who have peculiar needs.

The Guardian - Tech

Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park remain absent with groin and knee injuries respectively.

The Guardian - Sport

Although that number has now doubled, plenty of notable travel firms remain absent.

The Economist

Still, luxury brands like the Four Seasons, Raffles, Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental remain absent from the country.

The New York Times

Some major creditors remain absent from a pact that would end the company's Chapter 11 proceedings, however.

The New York Times

Van Basten, 49, missed his team's 3-1 win at Dordecht on Saturday, and the club have now said he will remain absent until 14 September.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Another word has remained absent from the discussion of the events in Charleston Obamaa.

The New Yorker

In many neighborhoods, police officers remained absent for hours as the carnage unfolded, witnesses say.

The New York Times

But New York -- home to leading research universities, medical centers and biotechnology companies -- has remained absent from the list.

The New York Times

Though the chaffinch continued to be ubiquitous, some other birds remained absent, including my garden favourites, the siskins.

The Guardian

However, while the accusations were widely reported, the commission's findings remained absent from the popular press.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain absent" to describe a continued state of being away, often implying a previous expectation of return. For example, "Despite the team's efforts, key players remained absent from the lineup."

Common error

Avoid using "remain absent" when referring to a brief or temporary absence. This phrase implies a more prolonged or indefinite state. Instead, use "is temporarily away" or "is briefly unavailable" for short durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain absent" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the continuation of a state of absence. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show it describes people, objects, or qualities that have not returned or become available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remain absent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a continued state of being away or unavailable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. It's most common in news, scientific, and sports contexts and carries a neutral tone. To ensure clarity, avoid using it for temporary absences and consider alternatives like "continue to be absent" or "stay away" depending on the context. This phrase is a reliable way to convey the ongoing absence of a person, object, or quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to be absent

This alternative directly replaces 'remain' with 'continue to be' for a slightly more verbose form.

be continuously absent

This alternative directly replaces 'remain' with 'be continuously' for emphasis.

stay away

This alternative emphasizes the act of deliberately not being present.

be still away

This alternative is a simpler and more informal way of expressing continued absence.

persist in absence

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "remain absent", implying a prolonged state.

be perpetually absent

This alternative emphasizes a constant or unending state of absence.

continue to be missing

This alternative focuses on the state of being unfindable or not present.

fail to appear

This alternative emphasizes the lack of an expected presence.

maintain absence

This alternative uses 'maintain' to suggest an active effort to stay away.

stay invisible

This alternative is a more figurative expression of absence, suggesting a deliberate attempt to avoid notice.

FAQs

How can I use "remain absent" in a sentence?

Use "remain absent" to indicate a continued state of being away or unavailable. For instance, "The requested documents "remain unavailable" due to a technical issue."

What's a synonym for "remain absent"?

Alternatives to "remain absent" include phrases like "continue to be absent", "stay away", or "persist in absence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "remained absent"?

Yes, "remained absent" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "The witness "remained unavailable" for questioning."

What's the difference between "remain absent" and "become absent"?

"Remain absent" implies a continuation of a previous state of absence. "Become absent" suggests a transition into a state of absence from a state of presence.