absent
absent — adjective
1. away from a place such as school, work, or a meeting where people expect you to
away from a place such as school, work, or a meeting where people expect you to be.
Mia was absent from class on Friday because she had a sore throat.
absent from + place
Three players will be absent for Saturday's match against Brighton.
The teacher marked Daniel absent after he missed the morning roll call.
Her father has been absent from family dinners since he started the night shift.
Half the staff were absent during the snowstorm last Tuesday.
- present
the standard opposite for school, work, meetings
文法句型
be absent from + place/event
用法筆記
Almost always used after 'be', 'seem', or 'remain' — never before a noun in this sense. Often followed by 'from' plus the place or event.
常見錯誤
2. not found in something that should contain it — for example, a quality, feeling,
not found in something that should contain it — for example, a quality, feeling, or detail that you would expect to see is not there.
Any sense of humour was absent from his report on the festival.
absent from + abstract noun
Warmth was completely absent from the manager's email to the team.
A clear plan for the budget was absent from yesterday's meeting.
Trust between the two old friends had been absent for years.
- lacking
very close; often interchangeable but slightly less formal
- missing
more everyday; suggests you notice the gap
- nonexistent
stronger; says the quality is not there at all
- present
as in 'a strong sense of warmth was present'
文法句型
be absent from + abstract noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract noun (quality, feeling, detail). Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about a person not being at a place; this sense is about a quality not being inside something.
3. having your thoughts far away — used about someone, or the look on their face, w
having your thoughts far away — used about someone, or the look on their face, who is barely noticing what is going on nearby.
Grandma stirred her tea with an absent smile, lost in old memories.
an absent smile/expression
The driver gave us an absent nod and went back to staring at the map.
Lucas looked absent during the lecture, his pen frozen above the page.
Aunt Marie answered my question in an absent voice, her eyes fixed on the window.
- distracted
more common; emphasises something pulling attention away
- absent-minded
describes a habit of forgetting; this sense is more about a single moment
- preoccupied
stronger; suggests a worry on the person's mind
文法句型
an absent + look/expression/smile
look absent
用法筆記
Often used before a noun describing a facial feature or sound (smile, look, nod, voice). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about attention, not physical location.
absent — verb
1. to deliberately stay away from somewhere people are counting on you to attend, s
to deliberately stay away from somewhere people are counting on you to attend, such as a meeting, a vote, or work. Usually written as 'absent oneself from'.
The senator absented herself from the vote on the new tax law.
absent oneself from + event
Mr Klein absented himself from the wedding reception after a sharp word with his brother.
Two judges absented themselves from the trial because they knew the family.
The minister absented himself from the press conference to avoid awkward questions.
- attend
the standard formal opposite
文法句型
absent oneself from + place/event
用法筆記
Almost always reflexive ('absent oneself') and almost always followed by 'from'. Formal — common in news writing, legal contexts, and biographies; rare in casual speech.
常見錯誤
absent — preposition
1. if there is no — used at the start of a sentence to say what would happen if a t
if there is no — used at the start of a sentence to say what would happen if a thing did not exist or was not provided.
Absent strong evidence, the judge will throw the case out.
absent + noun, main clause
Absent a written agreement, neither side can prove what was promised.
Absent further funding from the city, the museum will close in June.
Absent a clear apology from the airline, the family plans to take the case to court.
- given
opposite formula: 'given strong evidence, the case will go ahead'
文法句型
absent + noun phrase, main clause
用法筆記
Mostly American, mostly legal or business writing. Always sits at the very start of a clause and is followed by a noun, not a verb. In everyday English use 'without' or 'if there is no'.