Take leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Take leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts to indicate that someone is taking time off from work or duties, often for personal reasons or vacation. Example: "I will take leave next week to attend my sister's wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take leave when you've earned it.

Huffington Post

Take leave of the world for a while and have it fend for itself.

HuffPost

The girls take leave of their thongs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His boss had given him permission to take leave.

The New Yorker

Marie and her camera, however, quickly take leave of reality.

The New York Times - Books

Almost all workers who take leave return to their employers.

The New York Times

Before going, Susanoo went to take leave of his sister.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Students take leave from MIT for several reasons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Family: Students take leave from MIT for many reasons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He will take leave, voluntarily, from 8 January".

The Guardian - Sport

He was inciting voters to take leave of their senses.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Take leave" in formal writing, clearly specify the type of leave (e.g., medical leave, parental leave) and the duration to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "Leave taking" when you mean "Take leave". "Leave taking" refers to the act of saying goodbye, whereas "Take leave" refers to being absent from work or duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Take leave" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of departing or being absent from a job, duty, or place. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Take leave" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a period of absence, often from work or other duties. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. While its usage is generally neutral to formal, it's important to distinguish it from "leave taking", which refers to the act of saying goodbye. When using "Take leave", clarity about the type and duration of the leave is key, and alternatives like "request time off" or "go on leave" can be considered depending on the context. Common mistakes and questions that can come up when referring to this word are clearly analyzed thanks to Ludwig AI. The top five most frequent authoritative sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, BBC and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be on leave of absence

A more formal and complete way of expressing that someone is authorized to be away from their job or duty.

Request time off

Focuses on the act of formally asking for permission to be away from work or duties.

Go on leave

Emphasizes the state of being absent from work, rather than the action of initiating it.

Withdraw from duties

Focuses on the act of stepping back from responsibilities and obligations.

Take a sabbatical

Implies a longer period of absence, typically for academic or professional development.

Absent oneself

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying someone is not present.

Take a furlough

Implies a temporary layoff, often due to economic reasons.

Be on vacation

Specifically refers to taking time off for leisure and relaxation.

Take a break

Suggests a short respite, rather than an extended period of absence.

Be away

A general term indicating absence, without specifying the reason.

FAQs

How can I use "Take leave" in a sentence?

You can use "Take leave" to indicate a period of absence from work or duties. For example, "I will "take leave" next week for a family vacation" or "She had to "take leave" due to illness".

What are some alternatives to saying "Take leave"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "request time off", "go on leave", or "take time off" as alternatives to "Take leave".

Is it correct to say "Take a leave" instead of "Take leave"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "Take leave" without the article "a" is more common and generally preferred in formal contexts. "Take a leave" might be used in very specific contexts to emphasize a single instance of leave, but "Take leave" is more versatile.

What's the difference between "Take leave" and "Grant leave"?

"Take leave" refers to the action of an employee or individual being absent, while "Grant leave" refers to the action of an employer or authority approving that absence. For example, "The employee will "take leave"" and "The manager will "grant leave"".