were on vacation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were on vacation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was away from their usual location for leisure or travel purposes in the past. Example: "Last summer, we were on vacation in Hawaii for two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were on vacation.

The New York Times

"Like they were on vacation".

The New York Times

He felt as if he were on vacation.

The New Yorker

We were on vacation and went into the city.

The New York Times

We were on vacation when it came out".

The New Yorker

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy were on vacation.

The New York Times - Sports

Many parishioners were on vacation; so was the parish priest.

The New York Times

But the next day, the Lakers were on vacation.

The New York Times - Sports

Residents were on vacation or away at their country houses.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

The two met in Rio almost three years ago when both were on vacation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific vacation, follow "were on vacation" with a prepositional phrase indicating the location (e.g., "were on vacation in Italy") or time (e.g., "were on vacation last summer").

Common error

Be mindful of regional variations. While "vacation" is common in American English, "holiday" is often preferred in British English. Using the wrong term might sound unnatural to some readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were on vacation" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of temporary absence for leisure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It typically modifies a subject, describing their activity or status during a specific period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were on vacation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that individuals were away from their normal routine for leisure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide context, explain absences, or describe past experiences. When using this phrase, be mindful of regional variations like "were on holiday", and ensure that the verb conjugation agrees with the subject. This analysis provides a thorough understanding of the phrase's usage, making it easier to apply correctly and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were taking a holiday

Replaces "vacation" with "holiday", a more common term in British English.

were having a vacation

Substitutes "on" with "having", emphasizing the experience of the vacation.

were away on leave

Replaces "vacation" with "leave", suggesting a more formal or official absence.

were out of town

Indicates absence from the usual location, without explicitly stating the reason as leisure.

were enjoying a break

Focuses on the rest and relaxation aspect of being away.

were traveling for leisure

More formal and explicitly states the purpose of travel as leisure.

were taking some time off

Highlights the act of taking a break from work or routine.

were on a trip

A broader term that may or may not imply leisure.

were on sabbatical

Implies a longer and more formal period of leave, typically from academic work.

were sojourning

A more archaic and formal way of saying they were staying temporarily in a place.

FAQs

What does "were on vacation" mean?

The phrase "were on vacation" means that someone was away from their usual place of residence or work for a period of leisure or travel. It implies a temporary absence for the purpose of rest, recreation, or enjoyment.

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

You can use "were on vacation" to describe a past state of being away for leisure. For example, "They "were on vacation" in Europe last summer", or "We "were on vacation" when the news broke".

What are some alternatives to "were on vacation"?

Some alternatives include "were on holiday", "were taking a break", or "were traveling for leisure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was on vacation" for singular subjects (e.g., "He was on vacation"). Use "were on vacation" for plural subjects (e.g., "They were on vacation") or when using "you".