we were on vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were on vacation' is correct and completely usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to say that you or someone else went away on vacation for a period of time. For example, you could write: "Last summer, my family and I went to France for two weeks. We were on vacation and had so much fun exploring the culture and landmarks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

When he bought a taxi, he could work whenever he wanted when we were on vacation, he put one of our two sons to work.

Vice

Just by putting our children in the outdoor environment while we were on vacation, I was able to witness each and every one of the tenets take place with little or no effort.

Huffington Post

We were on vacation.

The New York Times

We were on vacation when it came out".

The New Yorker

We were on vacation and went into the city.

The New York Times

"Something bad happened here in Brooklyn while we were on vacation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We're on vacation".

The New Yorker

"We're on vacation," she said.

The New York Times

"We're on vacation," I announced.

The New York Times - Travel

"No watching tape while we're on vacation," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

We're on vacation, in Italy, as I write.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were on vacation" to clearly indicate a past state of being away from one's usual residence or routine for leisure purposes. It's suitable for describing shared experiences with family, friends, or colleagues.

Common error

Don't use "we were on vacation" interchangeably with phrases like "we had a vacation" if the context requires emphasizing the duration or ongoing nature of the vacation. "We were on vacation" implies a state that lasted for a period of time, while "we had a vacation" simply indicates that a vacation occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were on vacation" functions as a clause element, specifically serving as a predicative expression. It asserts the state or condition of the subject ("we") during a specific period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were on vacation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a past period of leisure or travel. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts. It effectively communicates that a group of people was away from their usual routines for relaxation. Usage is widespread in news and media, pointing to its neutral register. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as emphasizing enjoyment ("we enjoyed a holiday") or simply stating time off ("we took a break").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had a vacation

A more direct and simple rephrasing, using "had" instead of "were on".

we enjoyed a holiday

Focuses on the enjoyment aspect of the vacation, using "holiday" as an alternative term.

we were holidaying

Uses the verb form of "holiday", emphasizing the activity of taking a vacation.

we took a break

Highlights the aspect of taking a rest from regular activities, suitable for shorter periods.

we were unwinding

Focuses on the relaxation and stress-relief aspect of being on vacation.

we were having time off

Emphasizes the temporary absence from work or other commitments.

we went on a trip

Focuses on the travel aspect, regardless of whether it's for leisure or business.

we were traveling for leisure

Specifically mentions that the travel was for relaxation and enjoyment.

we were out of office

Highlights absence of work related tasks. More useful in professional contexts.

we were in resort

Implies we spent our time in a tourist resort, can be more specific to certain type of travel.

FAQs

How can I use "we were on vacation" in a sentence?

You can use "we were on vacation" to describe a past experience of being away for leisure, such as "We visited Italy last summer because "we were on vacation"." or "We were on vacation, so we didn't check our emails."

What's the difference between "we were on vacation" and "we had a vacation"?

"We were on vacation" implies a state of being away for a period, focusing on the experience. "We had a vacation" simply states that a vacation took place, without emphasizing the experience itself.

What are some alternatives to "we were on vacation"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "we enjoyed a holiday", "we took a break", or "we were holidaying".

Is it correct to say "we are on vacation" or "we were on vacation"?

"We are on vacation" is used for a vacation happening in the present. "We were on vacation" is used to describe a vacation that occurred in the past.