while she is away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while she is away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to express an idea about something happening during a period of time when someone is not present. For example: I will take care of the house while she is away on her business trip.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

While she is away, Caro secedes from Dora's rule.

The New Yorker

She invites them to stay there while she is away.

The New Yorker

Her vacation message says she will not check e-mail while she is away.

The New York Times

Penelope offers them her house while she is away and Corinne accepts, despite Edward's protestations.

The New Yorker

During this time the offspring must endure long periods of absence by the mother while she is away hunting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Downing Street said the prime minister remains in charge and will be kept fully briefed while she is away.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

As he headed down the block, he explained that her house had recently been broken into while she was away on a cruise, and she was terrified it would happen again.

The New York Times

While she was away, the magazine closed.

The New York Times

They texted several times while she was away.

The New York Times

While she was away, her daughter filled her shoes.

The New York Times

She claims also to be obese"; "Her dog died while she was away".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while she is away", ensure the context clearly indicates who "she" refers to, especially if multiple female figures are involved in the narrative. For instance, specify "While Jane is away" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "while she is away" if the action happens before she leaves or after she returns. Ensure the action genuinely occurs during her absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while she is away" functions as a temporal clause, providing information about when something occurs in relation to a female subject's absence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to express an idea about something happening during a period of time when someone is not present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while she is away" is a common and grammatically correct temporal clause used to indicate that something occurs during a woman's absence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is versatile across different registers and appears most frequently in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to clearly define who "she" refers to and ensure that the action genuinely occurs during the period of absence. Consider alternatives like "during her absence" or "in her absence" for different nuances. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "while she is away" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while she's gone

A more conversational and concise alternative.

during her time away

Emphasizes the duration of the absence.

during her absence

Focuses on the state of being absent rather than the act of leaving.

in her absence

Highlights that something occurs because she is not present.

whilst she is absent

A more formal and less common synonym using 'whilst'.

when she is not there

Focuses on her physical absence from a specific location.

while she is out of town

Specifies that she is not in her usual location.

while she is traveling

Emphasizes the act of travel as the reason for her absence.

during her leave

Implies a more formal or extended period of absence, such as vacation or sabbatical.

when she is on vacation

Specifies the absence is due to vacation.

FAQs

How can I use "while she is away" in a sentence?

Use "while she is away" to indicate an action or event that happens during a period when a female subject is absent. For example, "I'll water her plants "while she's gone"".

What are some alternatives to "while she is away"?

You can use alternatives like "during her absence", "in her absence", or "when she is not there depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "whilst she is away"?

Yes, "whilst she is away" is grammatically correct, with "whilst" being a more formal and less common alternative to "while". It carries the same meaning as "while she is away".

What is the difference between "while she is away" and "before she leaves"?

"While she is away" indicates an action occurring during her absence, whereas "before she leaves" refers to actions happening prior to her departure. They have opposite temporal contexts. For example, pack her bag before she leaves, versus feed her cat "while she is gone".