were on holiday

USAGE SUMMARY

'were on holiday' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time in the past when you or someone else was taking a vacation or a break from work. Example: Last summer, my family and I were on holiday in Italy for two weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inevitably, some could not make it; people had other commitments or were on holiday; one was getting married.

The Guardian - Books

"They pressed the nuclear button while parliament was in recess and people were on holiday," said one source.

The Guardian

On one occasion a group of teenagers threw a bash while their parents were on holiday.

BBC

Government and nation were on holiday.

Independent

We were on holiday, after all".

Independent

Most of the passengers were on holiday for Easter weekend.

The New York Times

Two more were on holiday when it was taken.

The New York Times - Books

"My parents were on holiday and we managed two brief satellite conversations," Fry recalls.

Independent

IN 1961 Gene Shoemaker, his mother and his wife, Carolyn, were on holiday in Germany.

The Economist

The Philharmonic had Christmas week off, and many players were on holiday breaks.

The New York Times - Arts

And everything is closed in Italy because people were on holiday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were on holiday", ensure the context clearly indicates the time period being referred to and the reason for the absence from regular activities. For example, specify the duration or location of the holiday.

Common error

Avoid using "were on holiday" when the context implies a shorter break, such as a lunch break or a short errand. Use more appropriate phrases like "were taking a break" or "were out for a moment" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were on holiday" functions as a past tense descriptive phrase, indicating that individuals were taking a vacation or break from their regular routines. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing past events and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were on holiday" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as a descriptive phrase indicating that people were taking a break or vacation in the past. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. Related phrases include "were vacationing", "were taking a break", and "were away on vacation". When using this phrase, it's best to provide clear context about the time and location of the holiday. A common mistake to avoid is using it for brief absences, where phrases indicating a shorter break are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were vacationing

Emphasizes the act of taking a vacation, often implying travel and leisure activities.

were taking a break

Highlights a temporary pause from work or regular activities, not necessarily involving travel.

were enjoying a vacation

Focuses on the positive experience of a vacation, emphasizing enjoyment and relaxation.

were having time off

Indicates a period of absence from work or other commitments, often for leisure or personal reasons.

were away on vacation

Emphasizes the physical absence from one's usual location due to vacation.

were out of office

Specifically refers to absence from work, commonly used in professional contexts.

were taking a sabbatical

Suggests a longer, more extended break, typically for professional or academic pursuits.

were on leave

Indicates an authorized absence, often for specific reasons like parental leave or sick leave.

were on a trip

Highlights the aspect of travel and journey, not necessarily for leisure.

were on a getaway

Suggests a short, often spontaneous, vacation taken for relaxation or escape.

FAQs

How can I use "were on holiday" in a sentence?

You can use "were on holiday" to describe a past situation where someone was taking a vacation. For example: "They "were on holiday" in France last summer".

What are some alternatives to "were on holiday"?

Some alternatives to "were on holiday" include "were vacationing", "were taking a break", or "were away on vacation", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was on holiday" instead of "were on holiday"?

No, "was on holiday" is used for a singular subject, while "were on holiday" is used for plural subjects. For a singular subject, you would say "He was on holiday".

What's the difference between "were on holiday" and "were on vacation"?

"Were on holiday" and "were on vacation" are essentially the same, but "were on holiday" is more common in British English, while "were on vacation" is more common in American English.