ask for leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a formal context when requesting permission to be absent from work or other obligations. Example: "I need to ask for leave next week due to a family commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Do not hesitate to ask for leave if you need it.

The Guardian

"Why should our women co-workers have to have these awkward conversations or ask for leave?

The Guardian

If I were to ask for leave to go to the Garrick with the chaps and chappesses it would not be granted.' There were huge guffaws of laughter.

The Guardian

Ken Viljoen joked that he and his colleagues would be afraid to ask for leave in the future in case their employers referred back to the game.

The Guardian - Sport

The 20-year-old admired Hopoate's stance and expects more and more young players to ask for leave on Sundays because of their religion.

The Guardian - Sport

Women who ask for leave could end up being penalised if laws such as Anhui's were not fully enforced, she said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ask : For left handed equipment, in your workplace or school.

WikiHow

(Another Microsoft motion asks for leave from that rule).

The New York Times

Joseph Wagner, 19, asked for leave this month and was turned down.

The New York Times

In asking for leave to go to Sikkim (now part of India), she told her professor the tale.

The New York Times - Arts

So he asked for leave of absence from the university and, when it was refused, resigned to make the programmes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ask for leave", clearly state the reason for your request and the duration of your absence to facilitate a smoother approval process.

Common error

Avoid phrasing your request as a demand. Instead of saying "I need leave", which can sound entitled, use "I would like to ask for leave" to maintain a respectful and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for leave" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of requesting permission for absence. Ludwig's examples show it used in both direct and indirect requests, such as, "Why should our women co-workers have to have these awkward conversations or "ask for leave"?"

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for leave" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood way to request permission for an absence. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral to professional tone, Ludwig confirms. When using this phrase, remember to state the reason for your request clearly and maintain a respectful tone. Consider alternatives such as "request time off" or "apply for leave" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request time off

More general term for requesting absence from work or duties.

apply for leave

Emphasizes the formal application process for requesting leave.

put in a leave request

Indicates the action of submitting a formal request for leave.

submit a leave application

Stresses the act of submitting a written application for leave.

seek permission to be absent

Highlights the need to obtain authorization for being away.

seek authorization for absence

Similar to seeking permission, but more formal and official.

request a leave of absence

Specifies a longer period of absence, often for personal reasons.

enquire about taking leave

More tentative, suggesting an initial inquiry about the possibility of taking leave.

inquire about absence

A formal query about taking time off or being away from duty.

beg for leave

Implies a desperate or urgent need for leave, suggesting difficulty in obtaining it.

FAQs

How do I use "ask for leave" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for leave" in a sentence like: "Employees must "ask for leave" at least two weeks in advance." or "He had to "ask for leave" to attend his daughter's graduation."

What is a more formal way to "ask for leave"?

A more formal way to "ask for leave" is to say "submit a formal request for leave" or "apply for a leave of absence".

Which is correct, "ask for a leave" or "ask for leave"?

"Ask for leave" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Ask for a leave" is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "request time off" and ""ask for leave""?

"request time off" is a more general and informal way to express the need for absence, while ""ask for leave"" can be slightly more formal, suggesting adherence to a specific leave policy or procedure.