took leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has formally left their job or position, often for a period of time or permanently. Example: "After many years of dedicated service, she took leave to pursue her personal interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

George Foreman took leave for almost 10 years.

The New York Times - Sports

She took leave from February 1989 through March 1991 for her appointment to the White House.

Stanford University

Murphy took leave from his duties on the high court but refused to resign.

The Guardian

He took leave from his insurance job, to no great avail.

The Guardian - Books

"A lot of the soldiers over at Fort Gordon took leave to man the scoreboards.

The New York Times - Sports

Between 1970 and 1972, he took leave from MIT to serve as the U.S. Air Force Chief Scientist.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And he took leave of them with "Buon pranzo" — "Have a good lunch" — which was cheered even more.

The New York Times

Kate Miller, who got out on "exochorion," took leave of the stage with a practiced parade-princess wave.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately Pitbull was there to do the honours, along with Jennifer Lopez, who took leave from the block that night.

The Guardian - Music

Bartlett took leave from his position as leader, and did not recontest it after the 2004 election.

The Guardian

In 1963, Carpenter took leave from Nasa to join the navy's Sealab project, becoming what was called an "aquanaut".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "took leave" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from phrases like "departed from duty" or "relinquished responsibilities".

Common error

Avoid confusing "took leave", which means to depart or go on absence, with "taking liberty", which means to act freely or inappropriately. These phrases have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took leave" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of departing or going on absence from a job, duty, or place. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from employment to military service.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

21%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took leave" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe someone's departure or absence from a position or duty. As supported by Ludwig AI, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and general communication. While often implying a temporary absence, it can also indicate a permanent departure, as evidenced by the examples provided in Ludwig. Writers should be mindful to specify the nature of the leave (temporary or permanent) for clarity, and avoid confusing this phrase with similar-sounding but semantically distinct expressions like "taking liberty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was granted leave

Emphasizes permission being given for the absence.

went on leave

Focuses on the act of going rather than the state of having left.

departed from duty

More formal and emphasizes the obligation of duty.

took a break from work

A more general term for a temporary absence from employment.

absented oneself from

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying someone was not present.

resigned from position

Implies a permanent departure, unlike a temporary leave.

stepped down from role

Suggests a voluntary relinquishing of a position.

relinquished responsibilities

Highlights the transfer of duties rather than the act of leaving.

took a sabbatical

Specifically refers to a leave for study or rest.

went on furlough

Often implies a temporary, involuntary leave.

FAQs

How is "took leave" commonly used in a sentence?

Typically, "took leave" indicates someone has departed from a job, duty, or place. For example, "She took leave from her position to care for her family".

What are some alternatives to saying "took leave"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "went on leave", "resigned from position", or "stepped down from role".

Is "took leave of absence" redundant?

While "took leave" can imply a temporary departure, adding "of absence" clarifies that the departure is not permanent. It provides additional clarity in situations where the duration is important.

What's the difference between "took leave" and "taking liberty"?

"Took leave" refers to departing or going on absence, while "taking liberty" refers to acting freely or inappropriately. For example, you can "go on leave" from work and you may be accused of "taking liberty" when you speak disrespectfully.