What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
absent
Example
The teacher marked him absent because he didn't show up for class. [absent: adjective]
Example
She was absent from the meeting due to illness. [absent: preposition]
Example
There was an absent-mindedness in his work that made it difficult to follow. [absent: noun]
gone
Example
He's gone to the store to buy some milk. [gone: verb]
Example
The cake is gone, I guess we'll have to make another one. [gone: adjective]
Example
The feeling of excitement was gone after waiting for so long. [gone: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gone is more commonly used than absent in everyday language. Gone is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while absent is less common and often associated with formal settings such as school or work.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between absent and gone?
Absent is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while gone is more casual and informal in tone.
