take time off work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take time off work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to take a break from your job or take a leave of absence. For example: "I'm planning to take some time off work to visit my family in the spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you afford to take time off work?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Did you have to take time off work?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If PAE requires a clinic visit, patients must take time off work and may incur travel and childcare costs.

Journal of Clinical Anesthesia

"Many parents cannot simply take time off work during allocated school holiday periods.

The Guardian - Money

I don't intend to take time off work to drop the pounds.

The Washington Post

My husband and I are going to take time off work and hang out at home with our four kids.

University of California, Berkeley

They had to take time off work for metabolism tests and also ate many meals at the clinic.

The New York Times - Health

The last three episodes have lasted between six and nine months; I've had to take time off work each time.

The Guardian

You'd like to take time off work but you don't have the vacation days to cover the time away.

Harvard Business Review

Ms Harman is pondering a special "citizenship pension" for people, mainly women, who take time off work to look after children or other dependants.

The Economist

It took years for K.K.P.K.P. to mobilize the waste-pickers, who were scattered and reluctant to take time off work for meetings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting time off, clearly state the dates and reason for your absence to ensure a smooth process with your employer.

Common error

Avoid using "put off work" when you mean "take time off work". "Put off" means to postpone or delay something, while "take time off" means to take a break or leave of absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take time off work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of temporarily ceasing work duties. Ludwig indicates it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Its primary grammatical function is to express the action of taking a break or leave from one's job, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take time off work" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the action of temporarily stopping work duties. As Ludwig confirms, it's perfectly usable in written English. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly communicate the reason for the absence and the specific dates involved. Alternatives such as "request a leave of absence" or "take a break from work" may be suitable depending on the context. Avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "put off work" is also crucial. In short, "take time off work" is a versatile phrase for discussing temporary departures from one's job.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take leave from work

This is a more formal and direct synonym.

take a break from work

This is a more general way of saying you're pausing work activities.

be on leave

This indicates that someone is currently taking time away from work.

request a leave of absence

This alternative is a more formal way to ask for time away from work.

get time off

A more casual way to refer to obtaining permission to be away from work.

take a day off

Refers to taking a single day away from work.

take a sabbatical

This alternative refers to a longer period of leave, typically for academic or professional development.

step away from work

This suggests a temporary departure, often for a specific reason.

go on vacation

This implies taking time off for leisure and relaxation.

absent oneself from work

A very formal and somewhat uncommon way to state that one is not at work.

FAQs

How do I ask to "take time off work"?

When asking to "take time off work", it is important to clearly state the reason for your absence and the specific dates you will be away. Be professional and provide ample notice if possible. You could also consider alternatives such as "request a leave of absence".

What are some common reasons to "take time off work"?

Common reasons include vacation, illness, family emergencies, personal appointments, or bereavement. Some companies also offer sabbaticals or personal leave for extended periods of time. Each of these could lead an employee to "take leave from work".

Is it better to say "take time off work" or "take a leave of absence"?

The best phrase depends on the context. "Take time off work" is more general and can refer to short or long absences. "Take a leave of absence" is typically used for longer, more formal periods away from work, such as for medical reasons or parental leave. Consider using "go on vacation" for simple time off.

What should I do to prepare before I "take time off work"?

Before you "take time off work", make sure to complete any urgent tasks, delegate responsibilities to colleagues, and set an out-of-office message with contact information for assistance. Proper planning helps ensure a smooth workflow during your absence, allowing you to "step away from work" without worry.