personal day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal day" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a day off from work that an employee takes for personal reasons, rather than for illness or vacation. Example: "I will be taking a personal day tomorrow to handle some family matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I work for a company that offers permanent full-time employees five paid "family days" in addition to paid vacation days, sick days and one personal day.

The New York Times - Magazine

This step creates a "personal day planner" for each person in the synthetic population.

BMC Genomics

She's using half a personal day for this.

The New Yorker

Why hire some formless morning suit for such a personal day?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association has accepted a lower starting salary and relinquished one personal day.

The New York Times

"[It's] bringing what life is like down to a personal day to day level".

The Guardian

-- Rebecca Petruck, New York Everyone is allowed -- or should be allowed -- a personal day now and then.

The New York Times - Magazine

An employer may require employees to take such time as a personal day or a sick day or the like, or to swap shifts with an amenable colleague.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a soft pain, looking at a toilet full of blood, taking Tylenol and calling in to work for a personal day.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

One explanation has been that women tend to focus on personal, day-to-day issues, like education and Social Security, while men focus on, say, taxes and the buildup of the military.

The New York Times

"It's less 'Mission Impossible' and more about the families and lifestyles and personal day-to-day lives of the men and women of the C.I.A.," said Michael Beckner, the CBS screenwriter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a "personal day", be clear about the need for time off but avoid providing overly specific details to your employer.

Common error

Always request a "personal day" in advance, following company policy, and confirm approval to avoid potential scheduling conflicts or negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal day" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "take a personal day", "request a personal day"). It indicates a specific type of leave from work or other obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal day" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a day off from work for personal reasons. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is acceptable in written English. It's frequently found in news and media sources, with less common occurrences in scientific and formal business contexts. When using "personal day", it's advisable to request the time off in advance and be mindful of company policies. Alternatives include "day off for personal matters" or "personal time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day off for personal matters

This alternative is more descriptive, specifying the reason for the time off.

personal time

This alternative emphasizes the time belongs to the individual to manage as they see fit.

leave of absence for personal reasons

This alternative is more formal and suggests a longer period of time.

private day

This alternative is a direct substitution, focusing on the individual's entitlement to privacy during the day.

discretionary day

This alternative emphasizes the employee's choice in taking the day off.

individual day

This alternative emphasizes the personal nature of the day, dedicated to the individual's needs or activities.

well-being day

This alternative highlights the potential benefit to the employee's mental or physical health.

mental health day

This alternative specifically focuses on taking time off for mental health.

floating holiday

This alternative refers to a holiday that can be taken on a day of the employee's choosing.

paid time off

This alternative is a broader term that includes vacation time, sick leave, and personal days.

FAQs

What is the definition of "personal day"?

A "personal day" is a day off from work or school that an individual can take for personal reasons, such as appointments, family matters, or simply to relax and recharge.

How do I ask for a "personal day" at work?

Check your company's policy for requesting time off. Generally, you should submit a request to your manager in advance, stating that you need to take a "day off for personal matters".

What are some alternative phrases for "personal day"?

You can use alternatives such as "discretionary day", "personal time", or simply "day off" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to explain the reason for taking a "personal day"?

Typically, you don't need to provide a detailed explanation. It's sufficient to say that you need to take a "leave of absence for personal reasons".