Mother and father are away/out today.

[z7655431]

"Mother and father are away today." (Treasury of English Grammar 1)
Is this sentence correct? I feel "away" is a little odd in meaning. How about I change it into "out"? I think "away" itself is not enough in meaning. The complete expression of "away from home" is more natural, while "out" itself is good enough. Thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

It depends on how far they've gone, in my opinion. If they've popped into town for the day to do some shopping, I'd say they're out. If they've driven to a lovely village 30 miles away to walk in the surrounding hills, then have some dinner and come back late in the evening, I'd say they'd gone away or were away for the day.

 

[Tdol]

And if they are really away, there's no need to expand on the word for me.