leave request

USAGE SUMMARY

'leave request' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in official contexts, typically as part of a sentence such as "I am writing to submit a leave request" or "I would like to apply for a leave request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A third of respondents reported at least one domestic violence leave request in the past 12 months, with only two to three days typically taken as leave.

The Guardian

"INFORMED Choice DearMental HealthProfessionals why does this not happen routinely?" "…making me terrified that you're going to commit me for suicide ideation does not promote sharing and openness" "…don't use a patients leave request as blackmail to get them to do what you want" "…The forced treatment that was 'for my own good' did no good at all.

BMC Psychiatry

No single factor prompted the incident, the report said, despite army investigators' previous findings that Lopez had been in an argument over a leave request.

The Guardian

The results will be inconclusive and your boss will say, 'Jared, there'll always be another Instagram-based influencer strategy to review,' but she also takes a while to approve your annual leave request and you will suspect that the two are related.

The New Yorker

"I know several of my colleagues have been unable to get leave approved for their own weddings, despite sending in a leave request a year in advance.

Vice

Aguirre left his post on October 23 by submitting a leave request, a formality for a resignation in Mexico's political structure.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

CityTime keeps track of employee attendance and leave requests through a Web-based system.

The New York Times

OrangeHRM – offers tools for employee administration, including recruitment, performance reviews, leave requests and timesheets.

The Guardian

Nearby stands a tent where residents can pick up what is needed, leave requests for deliveries or book a team to help on site.

BBC

Reuters contributed to this rePolice

Vice

When the UE wants to leave the conference, a De-REGISTER (eNodeB-ID, UE-SIP-account) is sent to the xAS and then a REQ-LEAVE (UE-ID) is sent to the ALM tree for a leaving request.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a "leave request", always include the specific start and end dates to avoid administrative confusion and ensure your manager can assess coverage needs accurately.

Common error

Avoid using "leave request" when you simply mean you asked to exit a physical location (e.g., a meeting or a room). In those cases, use "request to leave" to ensure the reader does not think you are applying for a formal vacation or medical absence.

Linguistic Context

"leave request" is a compound noun where the word "leave" acts as an attributive noun modifying "request". According to Ludwig, it serves as a direct object in sentences involving administrative actions like "submitting" or "approving".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academic

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "leave request" is a standard and highly effective phrase for describing the process of asking for time off. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is widely accepted in Professional and News & Media contexts, frequently appearing in major publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. While it is grammatically simple, it is important to distinguish it from a "request to leave" a physical room. For writers seeking variety, alternatives like "leave application" or "time-off request" offer slight shifts in tone and regional preference without losing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request for leave

A more formal syntactic structure using a prepositional phrase

leave application

Refers specifically to the formal document or digital form submitted for approval

leave of absence request

Suggests a more formal or extended period away from work or school

time-off request

Common in American business settings, often implying shorter durations

annual leave request

Specifies that the time off is being taken from the yearly entitlement

holiday request

Predominantly British English term for requesting vacation time

vacation request

Emphasizes the recreational or personal nature of the absence

medical leave request

Restricts the context to health-related absences

absence request

A neutral alternative that covers any reason for not being present

sabbatical request

Refers specifically to a long-term professional or academic break

FAQs

How do I use "leave request" in a professional email?

You can use it in the subject line or the opening, such as "I am writing to submit a formal "leave request" for the upcoming holiday period." If you need a more formal phrasing, consider using a "request for leave".

What is the difference between a "leave request" and a "leave application"?

A "leave request" refers to the act of asking for time off, while a "leave application" often refers to the specific form or system used to process that request.

Can I use "time-off request" instead?

Yes, a "time-off request" is very common in modern office environments, especially in the US, and is perfectly interchangeable with "leave request".

Is "holiday request" only used in the UK?

While "holiday request" is most common in British English, it is understood globally, though US speakers typically prefer "vacation request".