spend time away

USAGE SUMMARY

'spend time away' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of taking time away from your everyday routine to do something fun or restful. For example, "After all of the hard work I've done lately, I think I need to spend some time away and go take a vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you want to spend time away from your smartphone, go to Bore Place.

Independent

As much as we love Manhattan, we need to spend time away from it on the weekends".

The New York Times

Performers focused intently on artistic development are being asked to step outside themselves and spend time away from their instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

The design of the Hillside Pool Suites gives you total privacy and actually makes you want to spend time away from the beach.

Independent

Not everyone wants to spend time away from their soul-destroying office job reading books about polar bears and teaching the world to sing.

Independent

Mr Badenoch told jurors that Rehman frequently had violent arguments with his family, causing his fearful father to spend time away and even sleep rough to avoid him.

Independent

Fable 2, while enjoyable, never really gave you a compelling reason to spend time away from the main adventure by getting married or buying a house.

The Guardian - Tech

What's very important in a case like this that you spend time away from the business enjoying yourselves and not discussing business issues.

The Guardian

This forced him to spend time away from the game, during which he experienced an epiphany: football was supposed "to entertain by flair, passion and skill".

The Guardian - Sport

Barring a few designated parks for senior citizens and municipal playgrounds for children, the city has very little to offer by way of undesignated free space where citizens can just spend time away from congested housing.

The Guardian

Men, who make up an especially high proportion of British golfers, are becoming less inclined (or allowed) to spend time away from their families.And golf may not be quite the aspirational pursuit it used to be.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to "spend time away", be specific about the purpose: is it for relaxation, exploration, or to recharge? This helps frame the intention and makes the advice more actionable.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "spending time away" is a universal solution. Consider individual preferences and needs; some may find solace in routines rather than disruptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend time away" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express the act of taking a break or vacation from a certain place, activity, or person. Ludwig provides examples showing its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spend time away" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe taking a break or vacation. Ludwig AI indicates that it's used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. It serves to suggest or advise taking time off for well-being or to describe an absence. When using the phrase, it's best to specify the purpose of the time away and avoid overgeneralizing its benefits. Alternatives like "take a break" or "get away" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get away

Suggests escaping from a place or situation.

take some time off

Indicates a period of leave from work or other responsibilities.

take a break

Implies a short period of rest from an activity.

escape for a while

Highlights the temporary nature of the departure.

go on vacation

Refers specifically to taking a holiday or trip for leisure.

seek respite

Emphasizes finding relief from stress or hardship.

have a change of scenery

Emphasizes the benefit of experiencing a different environment.

retreat for a period

Conveys a sense of seeking solitude or tranquility.

disconnect from everything

Focuses on detaching from technology and daily pressures.

absent oneself temporarily

A more formal way of expressing temporary absence.

FAQs

How can I use "spend time away" in a sentence?

You can use "spend time away" to describe taking a break or vacation from a particular environment or activity. For example, "It's important to "spend time away" from work to avoid burnout."

What are some alternatives to "spend time away"?

Alternatives include "take a break", "get away", or "take some time off", depending on the specific context and intention.

When is it appropriate to suggest someone "spend time away"?

Suggesting someone "spend time away" is appropriate when they seem stressed, overworked, or in need of a change of scenery. It's a way to encourage them to prioritize self-care and well-being.

What's the difference between "spend time away" and "spend time apart"?

"Spend time away" generally refers to taking time away from a specific place or activity, while "spend time apart" typically refers to couples or individuals taking time away from each other to foster independence or resolve conflicts.