be on holiday

USAGE SUMMARY

"be on holiday" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to taking a vacation or a break from one's usual routine. For example, "I'm looking forward to be on holiday next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those irritating things – ie. emails, texts, voicemails, blog updates, tweets, incompetent housesitters – that you are required to attend to even though you are SUPPOSED TO BE ON HOLIDAY!

Independent

The book's highest value to historians may be as a record of diplomacy, particularly over Kosovo and Northern Ireland (at one point Mr Clinton "said he'd rather be on holiday with Kenneth Starr" than hanging out with the Ulster politicians).

The Economist

To vote by proxy for just one election, you must have a reason, for example you will be on holiday or away due to work.

BBC

To vote by proxy for just one election, you must have a reason, for example you will be on holiday or away owing to work.

BBC

To vote by proxy for just one election, you must have a reason - for example you will be on holiday or away owing to work.

BBC

"They're meant to be on holiday.

The Guardian

You could almost be on holiday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

TRANSPORTATION Buses and subways will be on holiday schedules.

The New York Times

TRANSPORTATION -- Buses and subways will be on holiday schedules.

The New York Times

On Friday, many UK students will already be on holiday.

The Guardian

Nigel Farage seems to be on holiday, but he will be taking notice too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be on holiday" to indicate someone is taking a break from work or their usual routine for leisure. It's common in British English and often interchangeable with "be on vacation".

Common error

Avoid using "be on holiday" to refer to the period around Christmas or other major holidays. Instead, use "during the holiday season" or "over the holidays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on holiday" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a person or entity being away from their usual activities for leisure or vacation. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be on holiday" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone taking a vacation, according to Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in British English, it indicates a temporary absence from regular duties for leisure. While interchangeable with "be on vacation" in many contexts, the latter is more prevalent in American English. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase sees frequent use in news and media, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to avoid confusing it with references to the "holiday season" and consider alternatives like "be on vacation" or "be taking a break" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be on vacation

Synonymous alternative, commonly used in American English.

be taking a vacation

Emphasizes the action of taking a vacation, rather than the state.

be having a holiday

Alternative phrasing with a similar meaning.

be away on holiday

Highlights the absence from the usual place or routine due to the holiday.

be enjoying a break

Focuses on the enjoyment aspect of the time off.

be off work

Specifically indicates absence from work, implying holiday or other leave.

be resting

A more general term for taking time to relax and recover.

be on sabbatical

Suggests a longer, more formal period of leave, typically from academic or professional work.

be out of office

Indicates unavailability due to being away, often for work or leisure.

be taking time off

A general phrase for taking a break from regular activities.

FAQs

What's the difference between "be on holiday" and "be on vacation"?

"Be on holiday" is more common in British English, while "be on vacation" is predominantly used in American English. Both phrases mean taking a break from work or studies for leisure.

What can I say instead of "be on holiday"?

You can use alternatives like "be on vacation", "be taking a break", or "be away" depending on the context.

How to use "be on holiday" in a sentence?

You can use "be on holiday" in a sentence like: "She will "be on holiday" next week and won't be able to attend the meeting." or "They are "be on holiday" in Italy.".

Is "be on holiday" formal or informal?

"Be on holiday" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is slightly more common in informal settings.