took vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

'took vacation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action taken by someone to go on vacation. For example, "Last summer, my family took vacation in France to visit their relatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Lawmakers took vacation, but economic and political currents swirling around them did not.

The New York Times

He then took vacation time and called on every drug company he could think of.

The New York Times

Many officers took vacation days to attend Friday's hourlong protest march, and were joined by retirees.

The New York Times

Some employees took vacation days to participate in Occupy Wall Street; two of them were arrested there.

The New Yorker

Kerviel seldom took vacation time — something virtually unheard of in France, where long holidays are considered a God-given right.

The New Yorker

But he took vacation trips to Shelter Island as a child, and he remembers Air Force fighters zooming overhead.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

They took vacations.

The New York Times

We took vacations together.

The New York Times

They took vacations in Florida.

The New York Times

I doubt that he ever took vacations.

The New York Times - Arts

We never took vacations; how could we?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the duration or type of vacation, follow "took vacation" with appropriate modifiers, such as "took a week's vacation" or "took a summer vacation".

Common error

Avoid using "take vacation" when referring to a past event. The correct form is "took vacation" to indicate that the vacation has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took vacation" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has utilized their available time off. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes a completed action, signifying the act of going on vacation in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took vacation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes the past action of taking time off for leisure. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, and it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use the correct tense and specify the type or duration of the vacation if needed. Alternative phrases like "went on holiday" or "took time off" can offer slight variations in meaning. This phrase is suitable for neutral or informal settings, making it a versatile choice for describing someone's time away.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went on holiday

Emphasizes a holiday or break, offering a slightly more general term for taking time off.

took time off

Focuses on the act of taking a break from work or regular activities, without explicitly mentioning a vacation.

went on leave

Highlights a formal leave of absence, which might be broader than just a vacation.

had a break

Implies a shorter period of rest or interruption from routine, possibly less formal than a full vacation.

enjoyed a holiday

Stresses the positive experience and enjoyment of a holiday.

took a sabbatical

Suggests a longer period away from work, usually for study or travel.

spent time traveling

Emphasizes the travel aspect of a vacation, focusing on the activity of going to different places.

relaxed and recharged

Focuses on the benefits of taking time off, highlighting relaxation and rejuvenation.

escaped for a getaway

Implies a short, often spontaneous trip for relaxation and recreation.

took a personal retreat

Suggests a more solitary and reflective vacation experience.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take a vacation"?

To "take a vacation" means to take time off from work or other regular activities for rest, recreation, or travel. The phrase implies a temporary break from one's usual routine.

Is it correct to say "take vacation" or "took vacation"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "take vacation" for general statements or future plans. Use "took vacation" when describing a vacation that already happened.

What are some alternatives to saying "took vacation"?

Alternatives include "went on holiday", "took time off", or "went on leave", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "took vacation" in a sentence?

You can use "took vacation" in sentences like, "She took vacation last summer to travel through Europe", or "The employees took vacation during the holiday season."