go on leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go on leave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone taking a period of time off from work. For example, "Karen decided to go on leave for 6 months to travel around Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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Vice

I'm always on the edge of my massive overdraft and if you're ill or on leave you only have your basic pay – so no one can afford to be sick, and I didn't go on leave for years.

The Guardian - Money

All these countries have seen gigantic increases in the share of fathers who go on leave.

The New York Times - Magazine

The share of men who choose to go on leave has grown sharply in these countries.

The New York Times

He decided to go on leave for the rest of the academic year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What percentage of students who go on leave are able to return?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, he will immediately go on leave and retire on March 18.

The New York Times

Under the offer, longtime employees could go on leave to preserve a younger worker's job.

The New York Times

His unit, the 368th Engineer Combat Battalion, was no longer being allowed to go on leave.

The New York Times

I had to make a case why I needed to go on leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was only allowed to go on leave because of exceptional family circumstances".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "go on leave", specify the type of leave (e.g., medical leave, parental leave) to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid replacing "on" with prepositions like "in" or "to" when using the phrase. The correct form is "go on leave", not "go in leave" or "go to leave".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go on leave" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of taking a period of absence. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, from military personnel to students and employees. It is a straightforward way to describe temporarily ceasing regular duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go on leave" is a common and grammatically sound way to express taking a temporary absence from regular duties, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When using "go on leave", clarity is key: specify the type of leave to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the correct preposition; it's "go on leave", not "in" or "to". Alternatives like "take a leave of absence" or "take time off" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a leave of absence

Formal alternative emphasizing the official aspect of taking leave.

take time off

General term for taking a break from work or duties.

go on vacation

Specific to taking leave for recreational travel.

be on holiday

British English term for being on vacation.

take a break

Informal way to describe a temporary pause from work.

step away from work

Highlights the act of disengaging from professional responsibilities.

be on sabbatical

Refers to a longer period of leave, often for academic pursuits or research.

take a furlough

Implies a mandatory temporary leave, often due to economic reasons.

absent oneself from duty

Formal and somewhat archaic way to describe taking leave.

cease working temporarily

A more descriptive and formal way to express taking a break from work.

FAQs

What does "go on leave" mean?

To "go on leave" means to take a period of absence from work, school, or other regular duties. The reasons for taking leave can vary and may include vacation, medical reasons, parental responsibilities, or personal matters.

What are some alternatives to "go on leave"?

You can use phrases like "take a leave of absence", "take time off", or "go on vacation" as alternatives to "go on leave", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "went on leave"?

Yes, "went on leave" is the past tense form of "go on leave" and is grammatically correct. For example, "She "went on leave" last month for medical reasons".

What is the difference between "go on leave" and "go on vacation"?

"Go on vacation" specifically refers to taking time off for recreational travel and leisure, whereas "go on leave" is a more general term that can encompass various reasons for absence, including vacation, medical reasons, or personal matters.