What is absence? Pronunciation and usage in English

absence means . Learn how to pronounce and use absence through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of absence

absencenoun

/ˈabs(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of absence

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "absence" in English. It can be tricky for some! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: "Absence" is actually two syllables:

  • Ab - (like the beginning of "apple") - This syllable is stressed.
  • sense - (rhymes with "dense")

2. Phonetic Transcription (This is the most accurate):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /ˈæbsəns/

Let's break that down further:

  • /ˈæb/: The "ab" sounds like "ab" in "about" – a short, clear 'a' sound.
  • /sə/: This is a schwa sound (ə), which is a very short, unstressed vowel sound. It's like the "a" in "about" or the "u" in "sofa."
  • /ns/: This is the "ns" sound, as in "nose."

3. How to Say it (Step-by-Step):

  1. Say "Ab" with a short, clear 'a' sound.
  2. Then quickly glide into the schwa sound “sə”. (Almost like a very quick "uh")
  3. Finally, add "ns" as in “nose.”

4. Common Mistakes & Tips:

  • Don't over-emphasize the first syllable: The "sense" syllable is very light and quick. It shouldn't sound like "AB-sense."
  • The schwa is key: The "sə" part is the trickiest. Focus on a very relaxed, unstressed vowel sound.

Resources to Listen:

  • Google Search: Just type "how to pronounce absence" into Google and you'll find audio pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/absence/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.
  • Youglish: https://youglish.com/w/absence - This shows you how the word is pronounced in real-world videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Say the word aloud now?
  • Give you more example words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word absence in English

Let's break down how to use the word "absence" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here’s a thorough guide:

1. Basic Definition: The State of Not Being Present

  • Core Meaning: At its simplest, "absence" refers to the state of not being present somewhere or doing something.
    • Example: "His absence from the meeting was noted." (He wasn’t there.)
    • Example: "The absence of rain made the fields dry." (There wasn’t any rain.)

2. As a Noun (the most common use)

  • Physical Absence: The lack of someone or something in a particular place.

    • Example: "The elevator was out of service due to an absence of power."
    • Example: “The absence of her car meant she was late.”

  • Lack of Something: The state of something not being present or existing.

    • Example: "There was a noticeable absence of enthusiasm in the room." (No one seemed excited.)
    • Example: “The absence of clear evidence made it difficult to reach a conclusion.”

  • Emotional/Personal Absence: This is a more nuanced use, referring to the feeling of someone’s lack or the effect of their not being there.

    • Example: "I felt a deep absence in his voice when he spoke about her." (He sounded sad because she wasn’t there.)
    • Example: “The absence of her laughter filled the house.” (Her laughter was missed.)

3. As a Verb (Less Common, but important)

  • To Be Away From: To not be in a particular place.

    • Example: "I absent myself from the party after a few hours." (I left the party.)
    • Example: “The president will absent from the conference.” (The president will not be attending the conference.)

  • To Omit (Formal): To leave out or exclude. (This is more formal and often used in writing.)

    • Example: "The report absent several crucial details." (The report left out important details.)

4. Phrases Using "Absence"

  • In the absence of…: Without something.

    • Example: “In the absence of any other options, we decided to postpone the meeting.”

  • The absence of evidence: This is a common phrase meaning “there's no proof.”

  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder: A well-known idiom meaning that being separated from someone you love makes you appreciate them more.

  • An absence of control: Lack of authority or power.

5. Connotations and Tone

  • "Absence" often carries a slightly mournful or wistful tone, especially when referring to a person.
  • Using "absence" can highlight the impact of something being missing - not just the fact that it's missing.

Tips for Using "Absence" Effectively:

  • Consider the context: The meaning of "absence" depends heavily on the surrounding words.
  • Be specific: Instead of just saying "absence," try to describe what is absent. (e.g., “the absence of light,” “the absence of clear communication,” “the absence of her presence.”)
  • Use synonyms when appropriate: Sometimes, words like "lack," "missing," or "non-existence" might be clearer or more impactful.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on (e.g., creative writing, academic essay, casual conversation)?
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’re trying to use “absence”?

Synonyms for the word absence

Idioms of the word absence

absence makes the heart grow fonder
(saying)used to say that when you are away from somebody that you love, you love them even more
    conspicuous by your absence
    not present in a situation or place, when it is obvious that you should be there
    • The meeting went well but Nigel was conspicuous by his absence.

    Practice with vocabulary absence

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Her __________ from the meeting was noted, as she was expected to present the quarterly report.
    2. The __________ of evidence made it difficult for the prosecution to build a strong case.
    3. Despite the __________ of sunlight, the plants in the greenhouse thrived under artificial light.
    4. The team's success was attributed to their __________ of distractions during the project.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which word best describes the state of not being present?
      a) Absence
      b) Presence
      c) Attendance
      d) Arrival

    2. What does the phrase "in the absence of" imply?
      a) Without
      b) With the help of
      c) In the presence of
      d) Alongside

    3. Select the correct word to complete the sentence: "The __________ of leadership led to chaos in the organization."
      a) Absence
      b) Attendance
      c) Vacancy
      d) Distraction

    4. Which word is a synonym for "lack"?
      a) Absence
      b) Abundance
      c) Surplus
      d) Excess

    5. What is the opposite of "presence"?
      a) Absence
      b) Attendance
      c) Participation
      d) Involvement

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The lack of communication caused misunderstandings.
      Rewrite: The absence of communication caused misunderstandings.

    2. Original: She was not there during the presentation.
      Rewrite: Her absence during the presentation was noticeable.

    3. Original: The non-appearance of the guest speaker disappointed the audience.
      Rewrite: The failure of the guest speaker to appear disappointed the audience.

    Answers

    Exercise 1:

    1. absence
    2. absence
    3. lack
    4. avoidance

    Exercise 2:

    1. a) Absence
    2. a) Without
    3. a) Absence
    4. a) Absence
    5. a) Absence

    Exercise 3:

    1. The absence of communication caused misunderstandings.
    2. Her absence during the presentation was noticeable.
    3. The failure of the guest speaker to appear disappointed the audience.

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