asked for time off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asked for time off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request made by an employee to take a break from work for personal reasons or vacation. Example: "She asked for time off to attend her sister's wedding next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He asked for time off from work and paid his own way to Washington, where the interview took place, on November 15th.

The New Yorker

Ms. Donn told of one worker who asked for time off after learning that his father had two weeks to live.

The New York Times

When Oz began publishing his first stories and asked for time off from his farming work to write, there was an intense debate among the elders: "Who is he, at twenty-four, to declare himself a writer?

The New Yorker

A much less riskier (if less sexy) alternative to quitting entered my head: What if I just asked for time off?

Huffington Post

I knew I could have asked for time off or more support, but I was too poorly to make the phone call.

The Guardian

"He asked for time off to go to New York and he showed up on the 'Monday Night Football' " broadcast, which was commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Jets' Super Bowl team, Dhaemers said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Ask for time off now to go and get money advice.

Independent

Henrik said he considered asking for time off, but instead stayed with the team.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't ask for time off, I had reconstructive knee surgery and a broken leg.

The New York Times - Sports

The man had called in asking for time off because his wife was having trouble managing with their disabled child.

The New York Times

"I needed to establish a relationship with my employer and my colleagues before I started asking for time off".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "asked for time off", clearly state the reason for the request and the duration needed to increase the likelihood of approval.

Common error

Avoid being ambiguous. Instead of saying you "asked for time off", specify the type of leave (e.g., vacation, sick leave, personal leave) for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asked for time off" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request or application for a period of absence from work or other obligations. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

12%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "asked for time off" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a request for leave, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its frequency is high across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, choosing more formal alternatives like ""requested leave"" may be appropriate depending on the situation. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of clear communication when requesting leave, advising against vague language and suggesting specifying the type of leave needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requested leave

Emphasizes the formal act of requesting permission for absence.

sought time off

A more formal way of saying "asked for time off".

applied for leave

Highlights the process of submitting an application for time off.

put in a request for time off

Focuses on the action of submitting a formal request.

requested a vacation

Specifies that the time off is for vacation purposes.

inquired about taking leave

Implies a preliminary inquiry before a formal request.

took a leave of absence

Describes the result of the request being approved and the time off taken.

requested a day off

Specifies that the time off is for a single day.

asked for a break

A more informal expression indicating a need for a short respite.

submitted a leave request

Focuses on the formal submission of the request.

FAQs

How do I use "asked for time off" in a sentence?

You can use "asked for time off" to describe someone requesting leave from work, such as, "She asked for time off to attend her graduation ceremony." or "He asked for time off because he was feeling unwell."

What's a more formal way to say "asked for time off"?

More formal alternatives include "requested leave", "sought time off", or "applied for leave".

Is it correct to say "ask for time off" instead of "asked for time off"?

Yes, "ask for time off" is correct when referring to the general act of requesting leave, while "asked for time off" refers to a specific instance in the past. For example, "Employees can ask for time off for vacation" versus "She asked for time off last week".

What is the difference between "requested a leave" and "asked for time off"?

"Requested a leave" and "asked for time off" are very similar, but "requested a leave" is slightly more formal and often implies a longer duration of absence than simply "asked for time off".