apply for leave

USAGE SUMMARY

"apply for leave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when writing a formal letter or email to request a period of time away from work or school. For example: "I am writing to apply for leave from August 1st to August 9th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The National Prosecuting Authority could apply for leave to appeal against the ruling, once sentencing has taken place.

The Guardian - Sport

Students must apply for leave by the first day of the effective quarter in order to receive a full-refund.

Stanford University

As an American citizen, I had to apply for leave to remain in the UK from outside the country, so our first stop was the office of the British vice-consul in Naples.

The Guardian - Travel

When my first visa expired in 2009, I applied for a three-year skilled worker permit, and when that ran out last year I was advised by the Home Office to apply for leave to remain permanently".

The Guardian

The national prosecuting authority said it would apply for leave to appeal on Thursday, after saying the sentence was an injustice that had the potential to bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

The Guardian

The past failure of the railway to apply for leave to discontinue the service does not, however, justify exposing it, and its officers and employe s, to the severe penalties prescribed by the statute.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

After he arrived in Britain in 1997, he applied for leave to remain in the UK.

The Guardian

Her legal team is considering applying for leave to appeal against the decision.

The Guardian

In May 2011, he applied for leave to remain in the UK but was refused.

The Guardian

After that the defendants applied for leave to withdraw their answers, and file demurrers.

Cornell University

Pressing his federal claims, appellant applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Michigan.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apply for leave", be specific about the type of leave (e.g., "apply for medical leave", "apply for parental leave") and the dates you will be away. This ensures clarity and facilitates a smoother approval process.

Common error

Instead of vaguely stating "I need to apply for leave", provide concrete reasons and dates. For example, specify "I need to apply for bereavement leave from October 26th to October 28th due to a family matter". This level of detail reduces confusion and demonstrates professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply for leave" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally requesting permission to be absent from a job, school, or other obligation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apply for leave" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to formally request permission for absence from duties such as work or school. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is most common in news, academic, and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the type of leave and the dates involved. While alternatives like "request time off" exist, "apply for leave" maintains a level of formality suitable for official communication. The phrase serves the purpose of formally informing and requesting approval from the appropriate authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an application for leave

This is a formal and slightly more elaborate way of saying "apply for leave".

submit a leave request

This emphasizes the act of submitting a formal request through a specific process.

file for leave

This emphasizes the act of submitting a formal application.

request time off

This alternative is less formal and more directly implies a request for a break from work.

apply for time away

This is a more general way of saying you are requesting time off, without specifying "leave".

seek a leave of absence

This suggests a more formal and potentially longer period of absence.

put in for leave

This is an idiomatic and informal way to say you are applying for leave.

seek permission to be absent

This alternative is formal and emphasizes seeking explicit permission.

ask for a break

This is a general and informal request for a short period of rest or absence.

request a furlough

This term usually refers to a mandatory, temporary unpaid leave, often due to economic reasons.

FAQs

What is the difference between "apply for leave" and "request time off"?

"Apply for leave" is generally more formal and used in official contexts like workplaces or schools, while "request time off" is often more informal and can be used in casual conversation or less formal work environments.

How to use "apply for leave" in a sentence?

You can use "apply for leave" in a sentence like, "I need to "apply for leave" for a week to attend a family event" or "All students must "apply for leave" through the online portal."

What are some formal alternatives to "apply for leave"?

Formal alternatives include "submit a leave request", "make an application for leave", or "seek a leave of absence".

Is it correct to say "applied for a leave" instead of "apply for leave"?

While "applied for a leave" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common and sounds slightly awkward. It's better to say "applied for leave" or "applied for a leave of absence" for better clarity.