a long holiday

USAGE SUMMARY

'a long holiday' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period of extended rest or leave from work, school, or other activities, especially when compared to a shorter break. For example, "After a long and hectic semester, I'm looking forward to a long holiday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

dorm after a long holiday weekend.

The New York Times

Time for a long holiday, perhaps?

The Guardian - Business

I'll be taking a long holiday a year from now.

The Guardian

After a long holiday break, we are back at our poetry.

The New York Times

The market's surge caught some off-guard in the run-up to a long holiday weekend.

The New York Times

He says he'll leave the children with their grandma, and sail away for a long holiday.

The Guardian

"My time here was like a long holiday, really," he reflects as we come out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before taking up his new persona, the multi-billionaire intends to take a long holiday.

The Guardian

In 1994 he took a long holiday from the series, citing stress.

The Guardian

The crush of a long holiday weekend here gave an early glimpse of the new era.

The New York Times

On a Thursday afternoon before a long holiday weekend, the doctor left a voice mail message: "Hi!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning travel content, use "a long holiday" to signal an extended period of vacation, differentiating it from shorter trips or weekend getaways.

Common error

Ensure you're using "holiday" to mean a vacation or break, not confusing it with "holy day", which refers to a religious observance. The context usually clarifies, but be mindful of potential misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long holiday" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It describes a specific type of extended break from regular activities, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a long holiday" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an extended break. Ludwig AI affirms this, and the numerous examples demonstrate its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase itself is neutral in register, its specific meaning is influenced by the situation in which it is used. For similar but with different nuances, consider alternatives like "an extended vacation" or "a prolonged leave of absence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended vacation

Focuses on leisure and relaxation away from usual responsibilities; more specific to recreational travel.

a prolonged leave of absence

Emphasizes a formal period away from work or duties, often with official approval.

an extensive break

Highlights the interruption of regular activities, suggesting a significant period of rest or change.

a sabbatical

Usually refers to an extended period of leave for academics or professionals for research or study.

a gap year

Specifically refers to a year-long break, often taken by students between school and university or work.

a long-term respite

Highlights the relief and recovery aspect of an extended period away from stress or responsibility.

an extended sojourn

Suggests a longer stay in a particular place, often implying travel or exploration.

a year off

Indicates a full year dedicated to something other than work or study, like travel or personal projects.

a lengthy recess

Implies a formal pause or interruption in a series of events or activities.

a grand tour

Historically refers to a traditional trip of Europe undertaken by upper-class Europeans, but now applies to any extensive travel experience.

FAQs

How can I use "a long holiday" in a sentence?

You can use "a long holiday" to describe an extended period of vacation or leave, as in "After years of hard work, she decided to take "a long holiday" to travel the world".

What's the difference between "a long holiday" and "a long weekend"?

"A long holiday" refers to an extended period of time away from work or school, typically more than a week. A "long weekend", on the other hand, is just a short break, usually involving one extra day off work.

What can I say instead of "a long holiday"?

Alternatives include "an extended vacation", "a prolonged leave of absence", or "an extensive break", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a long holiday" or should I use another phrase?

Yes, "a long holiday" is a perfectly correct and commonly used phrase to describe an extended vacation or break. It's widely understood and accepted in English.