left on vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

"left on vacation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone has departed and gone on a holiday or leave of absence of some kind. For example: "My boss left on vacation yesterday, so I'm in charge of the office until she returns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Pierce stayed with the J.V. until the holiday season, when several players left on vacation.

The New York Times - Sports

Brown was much less engaged in legislative affairs than his predecessors; he did not seek to influence the selection of the legislature's leadership, and he left on vacation during one of the two legislative sessions of his term.

Wikipedia

In one ludicrous case, an assistant district attorney actually left on vacation in the middle of a trial she was working on.

The New York Times

We left on vacation; it wasn't there when we returned.

The New York Times

Alas, Gov. Chris Christie and the state's first lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, both Republicans, left on vacation on Sunday.

The New York Times

He hinted at the idea repeatedly, without details, during a multicity trip last week before he left on vacation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"My dad's definitely got a different outlook," said Jeff S. Merrick, 25, who was laid off April 12 and recently left on a monthlong vacation to Costa Rica, stretching a 10-day trip he had planned.

The New York Times

Now, Federer will leave on vacation and fall to third in the world at the beginning of next week.

The New York Times - Sports

He's been known to hump faux-fur blankets, and when he is especially displeased (like when Christy leaves on vacation) he poops in the bathtub.

The New Yorker

Consumers are only now becoming aware that gasoline prices are edging higher, just as many prepare to leave on vacation, said Geoff Sundstrom, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association.

The New York Times

This year the Guerkes closed shop completely for two weeks in July, leaving on vacation for the first time since they opened three years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left on vacation" when indicating someone has started their planned time off. It clearly conveys the person is away for leisure or rest, distinguishing it from other types of absences.

Common error

Avoid using "left on vacation" when someone has departed for business, personal emergencies, or other reasons unrelated to leisure. Instead, specify the actual reason for their absence to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left on vacation" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state or action related to departing for a period of leisure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left on vacation" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates someone has departed for a period of leisure or rest. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, mainly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it accurately, differentiating it from other types of absences. Alternatives like "departed for a holiday" can be used for a more formal tone. By understanding its proper usage and common errors, you can effectively communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gone on a holiday

Similar in meaning but uses the past participle "gone" instead of "left".

departed for a holiday

Replaces "left on vacation" with a more formal tone using synonyms for both "left" and "vacation".

went away for a holiday

Uses a more general term to indicate leaving for a holiday period.

set off for a vacation

Uses "set off" as a synonym for "left", implying the beginning of a journey or trip.

taken a vacation

Focuses on the act of taking time off for a vacation.

took off on vacation

Implies a quick or sudden departure for a vacation.

embarked on a vacation

Emphasizes the beginning of a significant journey or vacation.

headed out for vacation

Uses a more informal expression to indicate leaving for a vacation.

started a holiday

Highlights the commencement of a holiday period.

commenced their vacation

Formal way of saying someone began their vacation.

FAQs

How can I use "left on vacation" in a sentence?

You can use "left on vacation" to indicate someone has started their planned time off for leisure. For example: "The manager "left on vacation", so I'm in charge this week."

What's a more formal way to say "left on vacation"?

More formal alternatives include "departed for a holiday" or "embarked on a vacation", which are suitable for professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "leave on vacation" instead of "left on vacation"?

"Leave on vacation" uses the present tense, implying a future action. "Left on vacation" is the past tense, indicating that the action has already occurred.

What does "left on vacation" imply about the person's absence?

It implies the person is away for leisure or rest, distinguishing it from other types of absences like business trips or personal emergencies.