ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be away

phr. v..
A2 Elementary Oxford

phr. v.. to be in a different place from where you usually live or work, often for a holiday or a trip.

phr. v.. to be absent from a habitual location, such as one's home or place of employment, for a period of time.


SIMPLE

I will be away on holiday next week.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager is away on business until Friday, so please contact his assistant for urgent matters.

COMPLEX

While the homeowners were away for the winter, a neighbor checked the property daily to ensure the pipes did not freeze.

Particles
away
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
be + away
Usage

often followed by 'on' plus the reason for the absence, such as 'on business' or 'on holiday'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'go away' (the action of leaving) versus 'be away' (the state of being absent); it is a stative phrasal verb.

Pitfall

He is away to Paris.He is away in Paris.use 'in' for the location of the person while they are away, not 'to'.

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