on vacations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on vacation' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to describe a period of time spent away from work or school for relaxation, sightseeing, or leisure.
For example, "We are excited to be heading to the beach on vacation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Consider for one year setting a limit on vacations and dinners out with friends.

Huffington Post

They went on vacations together.

The New York Times - Sports

They went on vacations.

The New York Times

Cousins and friends came on vacations.

The New York Times

"We hardly went on vacations.

The Guardian

Go to www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us and click on Vacations.

The New York Times

On vacations, they enjoyed, above all, fishing.

The New York Times

We even go on vacations together".

The New York Times

Most people spend money on vacations, but Puritans save it.

The New York Times

Goes to South America on vacations to collect them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Summer's full of weekend getaways, and full-on vacations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing general habits or routines, "on vacations" is appropriate. For specific activities during the vacation, consider using "during vacations" for more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "on vacations" when referring to a single, specific event or activity that occurred only once during a vacation. Instead, use "during the vacation" or "on that vacation" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on vacations" functions primarily as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate when an action or state occurs. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe activities or states that typically happen during vacation periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on vacations" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase widely used to describe recurring activities or states during periods of leisure and travel. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in news and media, with substantial usage in scientific and formal business contexts as well. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate its meaning from "during vacations" for precise communication and to avoid its misuse in reference to single events. Utilizing alternatives like "during holidays" or "while vacationing" can also enhance clarity and stylistic variation. The prevalence and consistent application of "on vacations" across authoritative sources underscore its validity in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during vacations

This alternative specifies that the activity or event occurs at some point within the vacation period, rather than focusing on the state of being on vacation.

while vacationing

This is a gerund phrase that emphasizes the act of taking a vacation and implies an activity occurring concurrently.

during holidays

This suggests a broader context of time off, potentially including public holidays or other breaks from routine.

while on holiday

This is a more British English phrasing of being on vacation, suitable for contexts where that dialect is appropriate.

during trips

This encompasses any kind of journey, be it for leisure, business, or other purposes.

while traveling

This describes the activity of travelling, which might include vacations but isn't limited to them.

during getaways

This refers to short vacations, typically taken to escape from daily routines.

on excursions

This suggests shorter, often day-long trips taken as part of a larger vacation or trip.

during sabbaticals

This refers to longer periods of leave, often taken for study or rest, and typically associated with academic or professional contexts.

during respites

This refers to short periods of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "on vacations" in a sentence?

You can use "on vacations" to describe habits or events that typically occur during periods away from work or school. For example, "I enjoy reading books on vacations" or "We always visit family on vacations".

What are some alternatives to saying "on vacations"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "during holidays", "while vacationing", or "during trips".

Is it correct to say "in vacations" instead of "on vacations"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "on". "In vacations" is not standard English. You should always use "on vacations" or rephrase to "during vacations" for correct usage.

What's the difference between "on vacations" and "during vacations"?

"On vacations" generally refers to habits or typical activities, while "during vacations" is used to specify when a particular event or activity occurred within the vacation period. While they can sometimes be interchangeable, using "during vacations" often provides more precision.