occasional leave

USAGE SUMMARY

"occasional leave" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to when an employee takes time off work. For example, "I am using my occasional leave this week to visit my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Dr. Krueger was a professor of political economy at Princeton University, where he had taught since 1987, taking the occasional leave of absence to work for the federal government.

The Washington Post

While masters of Iranian music like Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Kayhan Kalhor and Hossein Alizadeh take occasional leave of Iran to perform around the world, Mr. Vahab, whose day job is designing jewelry and watches at his store on 47th Street, is a different kind of cultural ambassador.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He joined the firm in 1946 but took occasional leaves of absence for government service.

The New York Times

But she took occasional leaves from the Ballet Russe to head small touring groups of her own.

The New York Times - Arts

Occasional leaves of Elegantissima are completely yellow or have tinges of pink, while leaves of Variegata have irregular, creamy white margins.

The New York Times

In the third, Tua stalked Lewis, landing an occasional left hook as Lewis remained cautious, obviously wary of Tua's punching power.

The New York Times - Sports

With occasional leaves to work on other shows, Mr. Feller has been in the bowels of the Winter Garden night after night, operating the immense tire on which Grizabella rises to "the heaviside layer," or cat heaven.

The New York Times

He did all this despite occasional leaves (sometimes months on end) to grapple with bipolar disorder.

Los Angeles Times

I'm sweating, delivering jabs, upper cuts, and the occasional left hook at an opponent who won't go down.

Vice

Of note, both questions regarding occasional leaving of one's room and underlying psychiatric diagnoses represent two significant differences between the definition in the new guidelines and that of Saito's book in 1998.

BMC Psychiatry

And when it comes to hair products, splurge for that occasional leave-in treatment.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing company policies, clarify what constitutes "occasional leave" in terms of frequency and duration to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "occasional leave" as a synonym for unlimited time off. "Occasional" implies a limited and infrequent usage, not an open-ended policy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasional leave" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the concept of taking leave from a job or duty from time to time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasional leave" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe intermittent time off. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid phrase in written English. Primarily found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, the phrase serves to communicate the act of taking unscheduled or infrequent leave. When using this phrase, ensure that it clearly conveys the intended meaning of infrequent absence and isn't misinterpreted as an open-ended leave policy. Alternatives such as "intermittent absence" or "sporadic time off" can be used to achieve similar communicative goals. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include "The New York Times", "The Washington Post", and "The Guardian".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intermittent absence

Focuses on the sporadic nature of the absence.

sporadic time off

Highlights the irregular timing of the leave.

infrequent vacation

Emphasizes the rarity of the vacation period.

periodic break

Suggests a recurring but not regular break from work.

irregular furlough

Implies an inconsistent and perhaps involuntary leave.

scattered days off

Focuses on the dispersed nature of the days taken off.

on and off leave

Indicates a leave pattern characterized by starts and stops.

incidental time away

Stresses the unplanned or secondary nature of the time away.

chance for absence

Highlights opportunity to be absence instead of already taken leave.

limited time off

Shows leave availability instead of taken leave.

FAQs

What does "occasional leave" mean?

"Occasional leave" refers to time off from work or other regular duties that is taken infrequently or irregularly, rather than on a fixed schedule.

How can I use "occasional leave" in a sentence?

You might say, "Dr. Krueger took "occasional leave" from his university post to advise the government".

What are some alternatives to "occasional leave"?

Alternatives include "sporadic time off", "intermittent absence", or "infrequent vacation", depending on the context.

Is "occasional leave" the same as sick leave or vacation leave?

No, "occasional leave" is a broader term that can encompass various types of leave, including sick leave or vacation, but implies it is not taken regularly or according to a set schedule.