Examples of using "Отсутствовали" in a sentence and their english translations:
You've stayed away a long time.
Why were you absent?
How long have you been away?
We were absent.
At least thirty students were absent.
Someone has robbed us of all our money during our absence.
Last week five students were absent from class.
Tom and Mary were absent.
Why were you absent yesterday?
Both Tom and Mary were absent today.
The book was missing a few pages.
I want to know why you were absent yesterday.