from active service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from active service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing military service or employment, indicating that someone has completed their active duty. Example: "After serving for five years, he returned home from active service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're not going from active service.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's if they retire from active service," Manfred said.

The New York Times - Sports

A college football injury kept him from active service in the second world war.

The Guardian

All he had to do was retire from active service in the Marines.

The New York Times

This was because he had failed to get Lord Curzon's footman exempted from active service.

The Guardian - Books

Hailed as a national hero after the war, Schwarzkopf retired from active service later that year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After retiring from active service, General Berry was Mississippi's public safety commissioner.

The New York Times

In 2004, Jefferies retired from active service and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.

The New Yorker

Priority in social housing to be given to ex-service personnel and those returning from active service.

The Guardian

On his retirement from active service he was awarded the Star of Nepal at a special ceremony held in Kathmandu.

The Guardian

After retiring from active service, the ship became a museum docked on the West Side in 1982.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about individuals who have left military service, use "from active service" to clearly indicate their transition to civilian life or retirement. It provides a specific and respectful reference to their prior commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "from active service" when referring to temporary leaves or breaks; it typically implies a permanent departure or retirement. Use phrases like "leave of absence" or "temporary assignment" for shorter durations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from active service" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state or event following a period of active duty. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from active service" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the conclusion of an individual's active engagement, primarily in military contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct and applicable across various sources. The phrase's purpose is to denote a transition or departure from service, suitable for both formal and neutral registers. While variations exist, such as "after military service" or "upon retirement from the military", understanding the context and desired level of formality ensures precise and effective communication. Ludwig highlights its widespread use in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, emphasizing its role in historical and contemporary narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after military service

Focuses specifically on the completion of military duties.

upon retirement from the military

Highlights the act of retiring from military duties, adding formality.

following completion of duty

A more general term implying the end of an assigned task or period.

after discharge from service

Emphasizes the formal release from a military obligation.

subsequent to military deployment

Focuses on the period after being stationed for military purposes.

on leaving active duty

Highlights the transition from active military responsibilities.

post-service

A concise, modern term for activities or status after military service.

after ceasing active participation

Broadens the scope beyond military to any active engagement.

returning from deployment

Highlights the return specifically from an overseas assignment.

end of service period

Focuses on the conclusion of a designated term of service.

FAQs

How is "from active service" typically used?

It's usually used to describe the point at which someone permanently leaves or retires from military duties. It indicates the end of their active engagement in service, after which they might transition to civilian life or other pursuits.

What's a more formal way to say "from active service"?

A more formal alternative would be "upon retirement from the military" or "following discharge from service". These options add a layer of formality suitable for official documents or speeches.

Can I use "after active duty" instead of "from active service"?

Yes, "after active duty" is a good alternative. It's concise and clearly conveys the same meaning of completing a period of active military engagement. It's also slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "returning from deployment" and "from active service"?

"Returning from deployment" refers to the specific event of coming back from a particular mission or assignment, while "from active service" indicates a complete departure from military duties.