take a sabbatical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a sabbatical" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to say that someone is taking an extended break from work or other responsibilities for personal or professional development. It is often used in the context of academic or professional careers. Example: After teaching for 10 years, Sarah decided to take a sabbatical to travel and work on her writing. She returned to work refreshed and with a new perspective on her teaching methods.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Fleishman will take a sabbatical.

The New York Times

So why not simply take a sabbatical?

The New York Times - Arts

But Isinbayeva, stale and weary, still felt the need to take a sabbatical from her sport.

The New York Times - Sports

Conte is likely to take a sabbatical while he considers his next move.

The Guardian - Sport

I realize that for most people, it's simply not practical to take a sabbatical.

Harvard Business Review

When authors of well-established series take a sabbatical, they tend to leave town for inspiration.

The New York Times - Books

"I will take a sabbatical and I will be writing and studying.

The Guardian

He and his wife moved to Austin, Texas, so that he could take a sabbatical.

Harvard Business Review

Like many people, he wanted to decompress, take a sabbatical and be with his family.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Keohane, meanwhile, a political scientist, plans to take a sabbatical next year at Stanford.

The New York Times

Mr. Levine, 57, said he planned to take a sabbatical and then return as a professor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning to "take a sabbatical", clearly define your goals and intentions for the break. This could involve travel, personal development, or pursuing a specific project. A well-defined plan will help you make the most of your time.

Common error

Don't "take a sabbatical" without thoroughly assessing your financial situation. Ensure you have sufficient savings or alternative income sources to cover your expenses during the break. Many people mistakenly underestimate the costs involved, leading to unnecessary stress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a sabbatical" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of taking an extended break from one's regular work or studies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a sabbatical" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe an extended break from regular work or studies, often for personal or professional development. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase implies a deliberate step away from responsibilities to pursue other interests or recharge. While financially planning and defining clear goals and intentions are best practices when deciding to "take a sabbatical", failing to assess financial implications represents the most common error. Consider alternatives like "take a career break" or "take time off" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a career break

Focuses specifically on pausing one's professional life for an extended period.

take a leave of absence

Suggests a temporary departure from work or other commitments, often for specific reasons.

take time off

A more general term for taking a break from regular activities, without necessarily implying a specific purpose.

take a break from work

Emphasizes the aspect of stepping away from one's job.

take a gap year

Typically refers to a break taken by students between school and further education or employment.

take a long vacation

Implies an extended period of leisure and travel.

take a respite

Highlights the aspect of seeking relief from stress or exhaustion.

take furlough

Implies a mandatory, often unpaid, leave from work.

go on hiatus

Suggests a temporary cessation of activity, often in the context of creative projects or performances.

step back from responsibilities

Indicates a deliberate reduction of one's duties and obligations.

FAQs

How can I use "take a sabbatical" in a sentence?

You can use "take a sabbatical" to describe a planned break from work for personal or professional development. For example: "After ten years of teaching, she decided to "take a sabbatical" to write a book."

What's the difference between "take a sabbatical" and "take a leave of absence"?

"Take a leave of absence" is a broader term that can cover various reasons for being away from work, while "take a sabbatical" typically implies a more structured break for specific personal or professional development goals.

What can I say instead of "take a sabbatical"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take a career break", "take time off", or "take a break from work".

Is it more common to "take a sabbatical" for personal or professional reasons?

While sabbaticals can be taken for both personal and professional reasons, they are often associated with professional development, such as conducting research, writing, or acquiring new skills. Personal sabbaticals might focus on travel or self-discovery.