long weekends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long weekends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to weekends that are extended by an additional day off, typically a holiday that falls on a Friday or Monday. Example: "I love taking advantage of long weekends to travel and relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Manhattan empties in August, when New Yorkers flee to their beach houses (typically on Long Island) for long weekends.

The Economist

They're taking long weekends.

The New York Times

"Long weekends are a tragedy".

The New York Times - Travel

They talked about their long weekends".

The New York Times

Could it be that French people talk about their long weekends because they have long weekends?

The New Yorker

The parents take turns coming to Manhattan for long weekends.

The New York Times

villanao.co.uk, from £80pp per week (long weekends by arrangement).

The Guardian - Travel

But he, too, is opting to take long weekends.

The New York Times

We arrive at work later, leave earlier, take long weekends.

The New York Times

Many have families abroad and see them only on vacations and long weekends.

The New Yorker

Except for a few long weekends, he has not had a vacation in years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long weekends" when referring to an extended weekend, typically including a Friday or Monday off from work or school. It's a common and easily understood term.

Common error

Avoid using "long weekends" when referring to vacations that are a week or longer. The phrase specifically implies a weekend that is extended by one or two days.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long weekends" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a period of time off that extends beyond the typical Saturday and Sunday. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long weekends" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to extended weekends, typically due to a holiday or personal time off. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to describe periods used for leisure or travel. Alternatives include "extended weekends" and "three-day weekends". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the duration and nature of the extended time off, avoiding its application to longer vacation periods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended weekends

Focuses on the duration of the weekend being longer than usual.

three-day weekends

Specifically mentions the length of the extended weekend.

holiday weekends

Highlights that the extended weekend is due to a holiday.

getaway weekends

Emphasizes the opportunity for a short trip or vacation.

mini-vacations

Describes the extended weekend as a brief vacation.

weekend getaways

Focuses on the act of escaping for the weekend.

leisurely weekends

Highlights the relaxed nature of the extended weekend.

short breaks

Focuses on the temporary interruption of regular activities.

extra days off

Highlights having additional free days.

time off

A general term for not working or being occupied.

FAQs

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

You can use "long weekends" to describe periods of extended time off, such as "Many people use "long weekends" to travel or relax at home."

What's a good alternative to "long weekends"?

Alternatives include "extended weekends", "three-day weekends", or "holiday weekends" depending on the specific context.

Are "long weekends" only for holidays?

Not necessarily. While "long weekends" often coincide with public holidays, they can also occur when individuals take personal days off to extend a regular weekend.

Is there a difference between "long weekends" and "vacations"?

"Long weekends" refer to short periods of extended time off, typically three or four days, whereas "vacations" usually involve longer periods, such as a week or more.