we were absent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were absent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people was not present at a specific event or location. Example: "Unfortunately, we were absent from the meeting due to a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For years we were absent from gatherings that had other children.

The New York Times

And until I read that book, I hadn't even noticed that we were absent.

The Guardian - Books

"We were absent; now we are everywhere," says one source on the first point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without giving proper mention to women like civil rights activist Diane Nash and political leaders Shirley Chisholm and Fannie Lou Hamer, girls and boys alike begin to rely on false narratives that suggest that black women either played subservient roles in movements for liberation and resistance, or that we were absent altogether.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is, because our minds spin with thought, and we are absent to much of our physical experience.

The Guardian - Opinion

… He must be telling his family details about our farms and goods, and when we are absent".

Science Magazine

"It's not like we're absent from the property.

Huffington Post

Every moment from which we are absent is a profound loss, particularly when you consider the brevity of our stay here.

Huffington Post

Whether we're absent-mindedly sketching on the back of an envelope or drawing full-blown cartoons, we humans just can't help but express ourselves through pictures.

BBC

"If the state were absent, we would not have the number of arrests we have each day," Berni insisted.

Vice

Even when light responses were absent, we still observed robust and lateralized responses to odor stimuli.

Current Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were absent", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific event, location, or timeframe from which the group was absent to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we were absent" without specifying where or when the absence occurred. Provide enough context so the reader understands the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were absent" functions as a statement indicating the absence of a group from a specific location, event, or situation. It is a descriptive phrase used to convey a lack of presence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were absent" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group was not present in a specific context. Ludwig confirms this. Although relatively infrequent, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the place, time or reason for the absence to avoid any ambiguity. Related alternatives include phrases such as "we were not present" or "we were away".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were not present

Directly states the lack of presence, maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

we were away

Indicates a temporary absence from a place or event.

we were missing

Suggests that the group's absence was noticeable or caused a gap.

we did not attend

Focuses specifically on the lack of attendance at an event.

we were elsewhere

Indicates presence in another location during a specific time.

we were not involved

Shifts the focus to a lack of participation or engagement.

we took no part

Emphasizes the decision not to participate.

our presence was lacking

Formal way to express the absence of the group.

we were out of the picture

Suggests a complete lack of involvement or presence.

we were excluded

Implies that the absence was not voluntary, but rather imposed.

FAQs

What does "we were absent" mean?

The phrase "we were absent" means that a group of people was not present at a particular place, event, or during a specific period.

What can I say instead of "we were absent"?

You can use alternatives such as "we were not present", "we were away", or "we did not attend", depending on the context.

Is "we were absent" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were absent" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for subject-verb agreement and adjective usage.

How can I use "we were absent" in a sentence?

You can use "we were absent" to describe a situation where a group was not present: "We were absent from the meeting due to a prior engagement."