take time off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take time off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period when someone is not working, often for rest or personal reasons. Example: "I need to take time off next week to recharge and spend time with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

96 Take time off when you're ill.

The Guardian

Don't I ever take time off?

The Guardian - Money

He should take time off," White said.

The Guardian - Sport

Do I have to take time off to participate?

Princeton University

Others choose to take time off before pursuing further degrees.

Cornell University

So I'd like to take time off just to paint.

The New Yorker

Many more women take time off from work.

The New York Times

Men can take time off with kids, but few do.

The Economist

He continued: "I will need to take time off somewhere.

The New York Times

So I have to take time off from Harry.

The New York Times - Books

I don't need to take time off work".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employee benefits or company policies, use "take time off" to clearly communicate the availability of leave for various reasons, such as vacation, illness, or personal matters.

Common error

Avoid using "take time off" interchangeably with phrases like "slack off" or "goof off", as the former implies a legitimate and planned absence, while the latter suggests negligence or irresponsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take time off" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of ceasing regular activities for a period. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts. It serves to communicate an intention or a need to be absent from work or other commitments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take time off" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of being absent from regular duties, typically work or school. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is utilized across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports and academic discussions to informal conversations and wiki guides. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for both professional and casual communication. While alternatives like "take a break" or "go on leave" exist, "take time off" provides a versatile and widely understood option for conveying temporary absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a break

This alternative is shorter and implies a temporary cessation of activity.

go on leave

This phrase suggests a more formal or extended period of absence, often from work.

take a vacation

This alternative specifically implies absence for leisure and travel.

have a sabbatical

This suggests a longer period away from work, usually for professional development or personal pursuits.

take a furlough

This implies a mandatory, often unpaid, leave of absence from work.

step away

This is a more general phrase suggesting a temporary removal from a situation.

take a respite

This suggests a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

absent oneself

This is a formal way of saying to not be present in a place or situation.

cease working

This is a straightforward way of saying to stop working, either temporarily or permanently.

take a breather

This suggests a short pause to relax and regain composure.

FAQs

How can I use "take time off" in a sentence?

You can use "take time off" to indicate a period of absence from work or other regular activities. For example, "I need to "take time off" to recover from the flu" or "She decided to "take time off" to travel around the world".

What are some alternative phrases for "take time off"?

Alternatives include "take a break", "go on leave", "take a vacation", or "have a sabbatical", depending on the context and duration of the absence.

Is it correct to say "took time off" instead of "take time off"?

Yes, "took time off" is the past tense form of the phrase and is perfectly correct. For example, "He "took time off" last week to attend his sister's wedding".

What is the difference between "take time off" and "call in sick"?

"Take time off" is a general term for being absent from work for any reason, including planned vacations or personal leave. "Call in sick", on the other hand, specifically refers to notifying your employer that you are unable to work due to illness.