were away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was not present at a specific location during a certain time period. Example: "We were away on vacation last week, so we missed the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were away.

The New York Times - Sports

We were away four months".

The New York Times - Sports

They were away on vacation.

The New York Times

"You were away up here.

The Guardian

Both were away when the tornado struck.

The New York Times

England breathed again and were away.

Independent

Suddenly, in a flash, Barcelona were away.

The Guardian - Sport

While you were away, feminism happened.

The Guardian - Music

"We were away from here & missed it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Hamish McRae is away.

Independent

But Odysseus is away.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were away", make sure the time frame of their absence is clear and relevant to the sentence's overall meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "were away" when a subject has permanently left a location or situation. Instead, use phrases like "had left" or "were gone" to convey a more lasting departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were away" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject being absent from a specific place or situation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were away" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe a temporary absence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific publications and on wikis. It is deemed grammatically correct and exhibits a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse communication contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis also shows that while "were away" is very common, writers should avoid using it to indicate permanent departures. For such cases, alternatives such as "had left" or "were gone" are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were absent

Emphasizes the state of not being present, suitable for formal contexts.

were not present

A more formal and direct way of stating absence.

were off

Implies being away, often for a specific reason or task.

were gone

Suggests a more permanent or indefinite absence.

were out

Similar to "were off", suggesting a temporary absence.

were on vacation

Specifically indicates absence due to a holiday or break.

were traveling

Highlights the act of being away and moving from one place to another.

had left

Indicates a departure from a place, implying a completed action.

were elsewhere

Emphasizes being in a different location.

were not available

Focuses on the inability to be reached or accessed.

FAQs

How can I use "were away" in a sentence?

You can use "were away" to indicate that someone was not present at a specific location or fulfilling a duty for a period of time. For example, "They "were away" on vacation last week" or "The managers "were away" at a conference".

What's the difference between "were away" and "were gone"?

"Were away" generally implies a temporary absence with an expected return. "Were gone" can suggest either a temporary or permanent absence. For example, "They "were away" for the weekend" suggests they will return, while "They "were gone" and never came back" implies a permanent departure.

What can I say instead of "were away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were absent", "were not present", or "were off" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was away" instead of "were away"?

No, "was away" is used with singular subjects, while "were away" is used with plural subjects. For example, "He was away" is correct for a single person, while "They "were away"" is correct for a group of people.