Differences between be away and be on

Be away usually means to be absent or not present in a particular place, while be on generally means to be engaged in a particular activity or task.

Meanings and Definitions: be away vs be on

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Be away

1Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc..
She's AWAY on business for three weeks.

Be on

1Be functioning ( of machines ).
The computer IS ON.
2Take place.
The show IS ON for the next three months.
3Take medication or drugs, especially when they affect the person badly.
He IS ON anti - depressants and has become very difficult to please.
4Be at the top of one's game, performing very well.
He IS really ON right now- three goals in five minutes!

Usage Examples: be away, be on in Sentences

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be away

Example

I will be away on vacation next week.

Example

She is away on a business trip.

be on

Example

The lights are on in the living room.

Example

The television is on in the background.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be away

be absent

To not be present in a particular place or event.

Example

I'm sorry, but John can't come to the meeting today. He'll be absent due to a family emergency.

take time off

To take a break or vacation from work or other activities.

Example

After working non-stop for months, she decided to take some time off and travel to Europe.

go on vacation

To take a planned trip or holiday away from home.

Example

They're planning to go on vacation to Hawaii next month to celebrate their anniversary.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be on

be engaged in

To be actively involved or participating in a particular activity or task.

Example

He can't talk right now, he's engaged in a meeting with his boss.

be occupied with

To be busy or preoccupied with a particular task or activity.

Example

She's occupied with finishing her project before the deadline.

be working on

To be actively working on a particular project or task.

Example

He's been working on his novel for months and hopes to finish it soon.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

Phrasal Verbs with “away”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in be away vs be on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be away or be on?

In daily conversation, people use be on more often than be away. This is because be on is used for more daily tasks and routines such as being on the phone or being on a break. Be away is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about someone's absence. So, while both phrases are used, be on is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be away and be on

Be away and be on are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be away and be on

The tone of be away and be on can differ based on context. Be away often carries a negative or regretful tone when related to someone's absence, while be on typically has a positive and productive tone, especially when referring to being engaged in a task or activity.

be away & be on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be away

Synonyms

absent
gone
not present
not here
on leave
on vacation
on a trip

Antonyms

Be on

Synonyms

Antonyms

stop
cease
end
be off
terminate
conclude
finish