were on leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were on leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is temporarily absent from work or duty, typically for personal reasons or vacation. Example: "The employees were on leave during the holiday season, so the office was closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Defense Ministry officials said Monday that the attack happened at 8 p.m. Saturday, and that 3 civilian drivers were killed in addition to the 49 guardsmen, who were "on leave heading to their families".

The New York Times

I finally joined the department 8 months later and I was keen on meeting many of the members who were on leave during my last visit just to find out that some were still on parental leave... Australia is one of the stingier countries when it comes to compensation for parental leave.

Huffington Post

Russell Berg, said the soldiers were on leave.

The New York Times

The announcement was made on 20 December, when most senior journalists and talkback radio hosts were on leave.

The Guardian

She… The Phelps, Flora and Harry were on leave from foreign service work in the consulate of an Arabian city.

The New Yorker

The Phelps, Flora and Harry were on leave from foreign service work in the consulate of an Arabian city.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The trust maintained that Lowe was "on leave".

The Guardian

Katrin Bennhold is on leave.

The New York Times

Mr. Fleishman is on leave, a Primary Global spokesman said.

The New York Times

This past fall I had been on leave.

The New York Times

She is on leave from the Wayland (Mass).

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were on leave" when you want to indicate a temporary absence from work, duty, or a specific obligation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was on leave" when referring to a group or plural subject. "Was on leave" is appropriate only for singular subjects; use "were on leave" for plural subjects to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were on leave" functions as a verbal phrase, often serving as the predicate of a clause. It describes a state of temporary absence from duty, work, or other regular obligations. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were on leave" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase indicating a temporary absence from duty or work. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informational writing. When using the phrase, ensure you are referring to a plural subject and consider alternative expressions like "were on vacation" or "were taking time off" depending on the specific reason for absence. Avoid the common error of using "was" instead of "were" with plural subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were taking time off

Focuses on the action of taking time away from work.

were absent from duty

Emphasizes the absence from assigned responsibilities.

were away from work

A more general way to express being away from their job.

were granted leave

Highlights the official permission given for the absence.

were on vacation

Specifies that the absence is for recreational purposes.

were on furlough

Indicates a temporary layoff or mandatory leave.

were taking a break

Suggests a shorter, less formal period of absence.

were excused from work

Highlights the permission or justification for their absence.

were enjoying a respite

Implies the absence is for rest and recovery.

were temporarily relieved of their duties

A more formal and emphatic way of saying they were not working.

FAQs

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

You can use "were on leave" to indicate that a group of people was temporarily absent from their duties, for example: "The soldiers "were on leave" for the holidays".

What is a synonym for "were on leave"?

Synonyms for "were on leave" include "were on vacation", "were absent", or "were taking time off", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was on leave" or "were on leave"?

"Was on leave" is used for a singular subject, while "were on leave" is used for plural subjects. For example: "He was on leave" versus "They "were on leave"".

What's the difference between "were on leave" and "were dismissed"?

"Were on leave" implies a temporary absence with the expectation of return, while "were dismissed" indicates a permanent termination of employment.