at vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

'at vacation' is not a correct or usable part of a sentence in written English.
Instead, one would use "on vacation" to describe a period of time away from one's job or home. Example sentence: I will not be able to respond to emails while I am on vacation.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

People do not leave e-books at vacation houses or hotels for the next reader.

The New York Times

But, at vacation time, she gets herself a job as a waitress in an espresso bar.

The New Yorker

More than 120 years later, Chautauqua still blends the educational and recreational.It was at vacation spots that society's norms were tested and changed.

The Economist

By Labor Day, the Post calculated, "Bush will have spent 42 per cent of his presidency at vacation spots or en route".

The New Yorker

At vacation times, counselor corps swell, but travel agents should be pressed on which ships post "closed today" signs on activity rooms in off periods.

The New York Times - Travel

There is some development in McMinnville, including a 44-house subdivision called Forest Glen that is aimed at vacation home buyers and retirees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I started my research looking at vacations.

Harvard Business Review

It will also look at vacations; the company now gives new employees two weeks a year.

The New York Times

Men are not good at vacationing, any more than beavers like to play board games or whippets are good at caring for small children.

The New York Times

But respondents seemed to draw the line at vacationing together and going on romantic dates.

Forbes

A lot of times we look at vacations as faraway fantasies that don't really get to come true.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the preposition "on" or "during" with "vacation". For example, say "on vacation" or "during my vacation".

Common error

Avoid using "at" with "vacation". "At" is typically used for specific locations, not periods of time. Using "on" or "during" is grammatically correct when referring to vacation time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at vacation" is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a standard grammatical function in English. Correct alternatives such as "on vacation" function as prepositional phrases modifying verbs or nouns to indicate time away from work or usual activities.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at vacation" is grammatically incorrect in English. As Ludwig highlights, the correct forms are "on vacation" or "during vacation", depending on the intended meaning. "On vacation" indicates the state of being away, while "during vacation" specifies when something occurs. Due to the absence of correct examples using "at vacation", it's crucial to avoid this construction in writing and speech. Instead, adopt the suggested alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on vacation

Correct preposition usage to indicate being away from work or usual activities.

during vacation

Specifies an event occurring within the time frame of a vacation.

while vacationing

Uses a gerund to describe an action performed during a vacation.

during my holiday

Utilizes "holiday" instead of "vacation", common in British English.

during the vacation period

Formal alternative emphasizing the specific time allocated for vacation.

while on holiday

British English equivalent of "while on vacation".

during vacation time

Specifies the temporal aspect of the vacation.

when on vacation

Indicates a condition that exists during a vacation.

during a getaway

Employs "getaway" as a synonym for vacation.

during one's vacation

More formal and possessive construction.

FAQs

How should I correctly refer to a period of time when someone is not working or at home?

Use the phrases "on vacation" or "during vacation". For example, "I am "on vacation"" or "I relax "during vacation" time" are correct.

What's the difference between "on vacation" and "during vacation"?

"On vacation" generally describes the state of being away, while "during vacation" specifies when something happens. Both are correct, but their usage depends on the context.

Is it ever correct to use "at vacation" in a sentence?

No, "at vacation" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Use "on vacation" or "during vacation" instead.

What can I say instead of "at vacation" to indicate I am taking time off?

Use alternatives like "I am "taking a break"", "I am "on holiday"", or "I am "off work depending on the context"".