is on sabbatical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is on sabbatical' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person who is taking a period of extended leave from their regular job or duties. For example: "My professor is on sabbatical this semester and won't be teaching any classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Could be this year's dark horse.Click to buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.ukThe Economist's literary editor, Fiammetta Rocco, who is on sabbatical, is one of the five judges that picked this year's Man Booker prize shortlist.

The Economist

Katrin Bennhold is on sabbatical leave.

The New York Times

"The development business right now is on sabbatical," he said.

The New York Times

Bishop Robinson is on sabbatical, his spokesman said.

The New York Times

Dr. Vahdat, who is on sabbatical leave from the university, is also a principal engineer at Google.

The New York Times

Or perhaps it's because the players and fans and team employees all know that the team is on sabbatical.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Serves 8. I'm reposting some Meatless Monday classics like this one while I'm on sabbatical this month.

Huffington Post

I'm reposting some Meatless Monday classics like this one while I'm on sabbatical this month.

Huffington Post

I was on sabbatical!

The New Yorker

"I'm on sabbatical," he said.

The New Yorker

Guardiola was on sabbatical at the time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's absence, specify the duration or purpose of their sabbatical to provide context. For instance, "She is on sabbatical for six months to conduct research."

Common error

Avoid using "vacation" or "holiday" interchangeably with "sabbatical". A sabbatical is typically a longer period intended for professional or academic pursuits, while a vacation is for leisure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is on sabbatical" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of temporary leave from one's regular duties. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, providing information about their current status. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science & Research

18%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is on sabbatical" correctly denotes a temporary leave from regular duties, often for professional or academic development. Ludwig confirms its accurate use across various sources, including news media and scientific publications. While the phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. When using the phrase, specify the duration or purpose of the sabbatical to provide more context. Alternatives include "is taking a sabbatical" or "is on leave", though "sabbatical" should not be confused with vacation. Ludwig's analysis shows that the phrase "is on sabbatical" is a standard and accepted way to indicate a temporary professional leave.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is taking a sabbatical

Focuses on the action of taking a sabbatical, emphasizing the initiation of the leave.

is currently on sabbatical

Highlights that the sabbatical is happening at the present time.

is on leave

A more general term indicating absence from work or duty, not specifically a sabbatical.

is taking temporary leave

Focuses on the temporary nature of the absence.

is enjoying a sabbatical

Emphasizes the positive experience of taking a sabbatical.

is on a research leave

Specifies that the leave is for research purposes.

is on a break from work

Replaces "sabbatical" with the more generic term "break from work".

is having a career break

Emphasizes the career aspect of taking a break.

is on professional development leave

Indicates the sabbatical is used for professional growth.

is on a temporary assignment

Highlights that the person is working temporarily on another project

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "is on sabbatical"?

When someone "is on sabbatical", it means they are taking an extended leave from their regular job, often for research, writing, or other professional development activities.

How long does a sabbatical typically last?

A sabbatical can vary in length, but it usually lasts for a semester (around 6 months) or a full academic year (9-12 months).

What are some alternative ways to say someone "is on sabbatical"?

You can use alternatives like "is taking a sabbatical", "is on leave", or "is taking temporary leave" depending on the context.

Is a sabbatical the same as a vacation?

No, a sabbatical is not the same as a vacation. A sabbatical is typically a longer period intended for professional or academic pursuits, while a vacation is for leisure and relaxation.