long holidays

USAGE SUMMARY

"long holidays" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a subject, object, or to modify another noun. Example sentence: I can't wait for the long holidays that we have coming up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yes, we have long holidays.

The New York Times

I didn't sign up for long holidays.

The Guardian

Teaching does have long holidays but don't be deceived.

The Guardian

She would share school hours, be blessed with long holidays.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wipro, another IT company, arranges child-care camps on its campus during long holidays.

The Economist

Among them, teachers heading home for the long holidays started to doze off, others murmured quietly.

Independent

"They're boring, they stop you going away on long holidays, and they shit on everything".

The Guardian

"The threat is not over because we have long holidays ahead".

The Guardian

The athletes are now planning to take long holidays, as they seek breaks from training.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Month-long holidays are for socialistically oppressed Europeans, not for free, entrepreneurial Americans.

The New Yorker

Tapestry Holidays (020 8235 7777) is offering week-long holidays at the hotel from £475 per person until 26 May.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember to tailor the term to fit the target audience. In formal writing, consider using "extended leave" instead of "long holidays".

Common error

Avoid assuming "long holidays" always implies leisure travel. The phrase simply denotes extended time off, which might be used for personal projects, family care, or other non-travel activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long holidays" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "long" modifies the noun "holidays". According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase that can act as a subject, object, or modifier.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long holidays" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to extended periods of time off work or school. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and versatile, suitable for use as a subject, object, or modifier. While it's generally neutral in tone, remember to consider your audience and opt for more formal alternatives like "extended leave" in professional settings. Be mindful that the phrase doesn't always imply leisure travel. While highly frequent in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase is less frequent in Wiki, Encyclopedias and Reference contexts, which is natural considering the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended vacations

Focuses on the length and vacation aspect. Slight semantic change but meaning mostly preserved.

lengthy breaks

Replaces 'holidays' with 'breaks', emphasizing a pause from routine.

prolonged vacations

Substitutes 'long' with 'prolonged' to emphasize the duration of the vacation.

extended time off

Replaces both words, offering a broader term for being away from work or other obligations.

lengthy respites

Replaces "breaks" and carries a more formal connotation.

long leaves of absence

Formal phrase referring to extended periods away from work or duty.

extended leisure periods

Formal alternative, highlighting the element of leisure.

lengthy holiday periods

More descriptive and formal phrasing with focus on calendar period.

long stretches of vacation

Emphasizes continuous period of vacation time.

substantial time off

General term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "long holidays" in a sentence?

You can use "long holidays" to describe extended periods away from work or school, such as "Teachers often enjoy "long holidays" during the summer" or "Many families plan "long holidays" to exotic destinations".

What is a more formal alternative to "long holidays"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "extended leave" or "prolonged absence" to refer to extended time away from work or other obligations.

What kind of jobs offer "long holidays"?

While it varies by employer and region, professions like teaching and academia are often associated with "long holidays". Some companies may also offer "extended vacations" as part of their benefits packages.

Is "long holidays" the same as "long weekends"?

No, "long holidays" refers to extended periods of vacation, often lasting several weeks, while "long weekends" are typically only three or four days long, often created by combining a public holiday with a regular weekend.