out of office message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'out of office message' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is unable to answer their emails due to being away from work. For example, "I'm currently out of office and will respond to your email as soon as I can upon my return. In the meantime, please refer to the out of office message for more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rather than post an "out of office" message on the home page, they drew images of the indie arts festival on the logo.

The New York Times - Style

To counter this, I've simply put an Out Of Office message on my email, which reads: "my legs have been beamed from planet FUCK YOU".

Vice

Since your email account remains active, put an "Out of Office" message letting contacts know who to contact after you've left.

University of California, Berkeley

What do you say in your out of office message?

Forbes

Would you like to know the (as one client put it) "gangster out of office message" I use?

Forbes

Set an out of office message on your email so people know not to contact you over the weekend or during your vacation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Also, an epic out-of-office message from S.N.L. writer Colin Jost.

The New Yorker

My out-of-office message directed people to reach others in my office if they needed something urgently.

The New York Times

Quick Steps are multistep, automated functions like "Send an out-of-office message to this person, forward it to my assistant, then delete the message, all at once".

The New York Times - Tech

Even so, preparing for an overseas trip involves much more than packing a bag, leaving an out-of-office message and e-mailing itineraries to family members.

The New York Times

If appropriate, have them put your email on their out-of-office message so that others will proactively contact you about items you need to accomplish for others.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Customize your "out of office message" to reflect your personality or company culture, making it more engaging for the recipient.

Common error

Avoid using a standard, impersonal "out of office message". Provide specific information about your absence and who to contact in your place. The more detail, the better. This ensures that the sender gets the support they need while you're unavailable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of office message" functions as a noun phrase that refers to an automated response set up to notify email senders that the recipient is unavailable. Ludwig indicates it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of office message" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood term used to describe an automated email response indicating someone's absence. Ludwig confirms its validity. While it's relatively rare based on the analyzed data, its usage spans across professional, academic, and news contexts. Key considerations include providing clear return dates and alternative contact information to ensure effective communication during your absence. Tailoring the message to reflect your brand or company culture can also enhance its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of office auto-response

This alternative highlights both the absence and the automatic reply.

automated out of office notification

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the automated aspect.

away message

This alternative is shorter and more informal, suitable for internal communications.

vacation auto-reply

This alternative specifically refers to an automated reply during a vacation period.

vacation message

This alternative is specific to vacation periods.

absence notification

This alternative is more formal and can be used for any type of absence, not just vacation.

automatic reply email

This alternative emphasizes the automated nature of the response.

email auto-responder

This alternative focuses on the email system's automatic response function.

leave of absence message

This alternative specifies a leave of absence, implying a longer duration.

holiday message

This alternative is specific to holiday periods.

FAQs

How do I write an effective "out of office message"?

An effective "out of office message" should include your return date, an alternative contact for urgent matters, and a brief explanation of your absence. You might also add a personal touch to reflect your brand or personality.

What should I include in my "out of office message" if I have no alternative contact?

If you don't have an alternative contact, clearly state that you will respond upon your return and provide the date. Manage expectations by setting a realistic timeframe for your reply.

Is it appropriate to set an "out of office message" for weekends?

Yes, setting an "out of office message" for weekends can help manage expectations and promote work-life balance. It lets senders know when they can expect a response.

What are some alternatives to saying "out of office message"?

You can use alternatives like "away message", "vacation auto-reply", or "absence notification" depending on the context.