[majid72]

Hello

Would you please tell me which one of the following sentences is good English and is commonly used?

1-I have two weeks off/holiday.
2-I'm on leave/holiday for two weeks.
3-I have two weeks of vacation/holiday.
4-I take vacation/holiday for two weeks. OR I take two weeks'vacation/holiday
5-I'm on vacation for two weeks.
6-I''m going on vacation/holiday for two weeks

Thanks a lot.

[susan53]

All fine except 4 which should be I'm taking a vacation/holiday for two weeks.

Just keep in mind that vacation is used in American English, whereas British English would generally use holiday.

And I don't know if the use of off as in I'm taking two weeks off is specifically British or more widely used. When I "hear" it mentally it's always in a British accent. Any Americans like to comment?

[STCrowley]

Another point is that--from my point of view as an American--vacation is what 'normal' people get. "Leave" is what I had in the Army. In the second sentence, the "I have two weeks of leave" sounds like someone from the military speaking.

Or do I only think that because I heard it in the Army a lot? Any other opinions?

[angie2061]

Well, I'm American and I often hear, "I'm taking a day off," or "He has the week off." It's often used in the Southern USA anyway! It's understood to mean "off from work."

Vacation is for fun/relaxation. Leave is often used regarding an illness or pregnancy. For example, "She is going on a six week maternity leave in August, " or "I am taking two days of sick leave to have oral surgery."

It's the shades of meaning that can be so confusing, isn't it?

Both words are talking about not being at work!

[majid72]

Thank you every body for useful & informative posts.They really helped me.

Regards.