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I was away vs I have been away

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I was away' is used to describe a past action or state of being away, while 'I have been away' is used to indicate a present result of being away that started in the past and continues to the present.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 3879 views

I was away

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe a past action or state of being away.

Use 'I was away' to talk about a specific time in the past when you were not present at a place or event.

Examples:

I was away on vacation last week.
She didn't see me because I was away at a conference.
He missed the meeting because he was away on a business trip.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apr 22, 2018 ... I was away for a week. is choosing not to emphasise that present relevance, but to treat the trip as something over and done with.
Let's say I have just returned from a week's holiday. Can I say "I have been away for a week" or do I have to say "I was away for a week"?

Alternatives:

I was not there
I was absent
I was not present

I have been away

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a present result of being away that started in the past and continues to the present.

Use 'I have been away' to talk about a period of absence that began in the past and is still ongoing or has just ended.

Examples:

I have been away on a business trip for the past two weeks.
She has been away visiting her family for a month.
He has been away from home since last month.

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 8, 2007 ... ... from my family and I phone home, I don't say "What's been going on since I was away"; I say "What's been going on since I have been away?".
“I Have Been Away For So Long” is the third release of the band a Jigsaw related to their new album Drunken Sailors & Happy Pirates (Nov2011).
I have been away for quite some time and have not done any transaction on my account. Is my account still open? What should I do to get it operating again?
Holy Spirit Conference of St Vincent de Paul · SVDP Blog · Contact Us. You are here: Home / I am NEW here / I have been away from the Church ...

Alternatives:

I have not been here
I have been absent
I have not been present

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