was not in attendance

USAGE SUMMARY

"was not in attendance" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "John was not in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His mother was 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

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times

Guardiola was not in attendance, however, as he is currently touring China with Bayern Munich.

The Guardian - Sport

Piketty was not in attendance this year, which was like putting on Hamlet without the prince.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There was a smaller event under Mayor Bloomberg, but he was not in attendance".

The New Yorker

The Guardian said Mr. Wright was not in attendance at this work's deletion.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In fact, he was not in attendance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not in attendance" when you want to formally state that someone did not attend an event or gathering. This phrase is suitable for news reports, formal announcements, and official records.

Common error

Avoid using "was not in attendance" in very informal settings, as it may sound overly formal or stiff. Simpler phrases like "didn't show up" or "wasn't there" are more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not in attendance" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating the absence of a person or entity from a specific event or location. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing who did not participate in various events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not in attendance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for formally indicating someone's absence from an event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While its formality makes it suitable for professional and objective communication, simpler alternatives exist for informal settings. Remembering these nuances will help ensure appropriate and effective communication. The phrase has an authoritative tone, common in news articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not attend

Direct replacement with a more concise verb phrase.

was absent

Replaces the phrase with a single adjective indicating absence.

was not present

Synonymous replacement emphasizing lack of presence.

did not make an appearance

Emphasizes the act of appearing and its absence.

was not on hand

Suggests a lack of readiness or availability at the event.

was missing

Simple and direct, highlighting the absence.

remained absent

Emphasizes the continued state of absence.

was not there

A basic and straightforward way of stating someone's absence.

failed to attend

Highlights the failure to perform the action of attending.

could not be found

Suggests that the person was searched for but unavailable.

FAQs

What does "was not in attendance" mean?

The phrase "was not in attendance" means that someone was not present at a particular event or gathering. It's a formal way of saying someone didn't attend.

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

You can use "was not in attendance" to indicate someone's absence from an event. For example, "The CEO "was not in attendance" at the annual shareholders meeting."

What can I say instead of "was not in attendance"?

You can use alternatives like "did not attend", "was absent", or "was not present" depending on the context.

Is "was not in attendance" formal or informal?

"Was not in attendance" is considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "wasn't there" or "didn't show up".