time away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time away from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to taking a break or being absent from something or somewhere, such as a job, school, or home. For example, "I decided to take some time away from my job to focus on my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They sacrifice time away from their families.

The New York Times - Sports

Spend quality time away from each other!

The New York Times

"It took time away from him".

The New Yorker

"Now he takes time away from us".

The New York Times

Time away from competitive golf: 11 months.

The New York Times - Sports

"Enjoying some time away from work?

The Guardian

It's time away from the kids.

The New York Times

"It's your first time away from home.

The New York Times

So I don't mind taking time away from the practice.

The New York Times

Was their time away from one another a contributing factor?

The New York Times

"It was a long time away from home".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time away from" to clearly indicate a period of separation or absence, ensuring the context specifies the source or reason for the absence. For example, "schedule time away from work" is more precise than "schedule time away".

Common error

Avoid using "time away from" excessively in long, convoluted sentences. Break down the sentence or rephrase to improve clarity. For example, instead of "The complex project required so much time away from essential tasks that productivity suffered", try "The complex project diverted time from essential tasks, harming productivity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time away from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a period of separation or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time away from" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe a period of separation or absence. As Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, you can confidently incorporate it into your writing. Examples are abundant, primarily sourced from news and media, indicating its widespread use across various contexts. When considering alternatives, phrases like "break from" or "time off from" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The best practice is to use it precisely, specifying what is being separated from, and avoiding overuse in complex sentences. Overall, "time away from" is a valuable tool for expressing separation and absence in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time off from

This signifies a period of free time or vacation taken from work or other responsibilities.

break from

This alternative suggests a temporary interruption or pause from an activity or situation, often for rest or recuperation.

respite from

This phrase implies a brief period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

absence from

This indicates a state of being away or not present in a particular place or situation.

leave from

Implies a permission or allowance to be away from a duty or place.

detachment from

Suggests a separation or disengagement from something, often emotionally or psychologically.

hiatus from

This term denotes a pause or interruption in a sequence or activity, implying a temporary cessation.

separation from

Indicates a state of being physically or emotionally apart from someone or something.

distance from

Emphasizes the act of creating emotional or physical distance.

sabbatical from

This term refers to an extended period of leave, typically from work, for study or travel.

FAQs

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

You can use "time away from" to describe a period of separation or absence from something. For example, "I need "time away from" the city" or "The project took "time away from" other important tasks".

What are some alternatives to "time away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "break from", "respite from", or "absence from".

Is it correct to say "take time away from"?

Yes, "take "time away from"" is a common and correct way to phrase the action of separating oneself from something, like "take "time away from" work".

What's the difference between "time off" and "time away from"?

"Time off" generally refers to leisure or vacation, while ""time away from"" indicates a broader separation that might not necessarily be for leisure. For example, ""time away from" stress" might involve activities other than vacation.