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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions with holiday

Different prepositions with holiday express different meanings. On holiday is the most common expression for being away from work or school.

Quick answer

Which preposition should I use with holiday?

Use on holiday for being away on vacation. Use for a holiday for purpose or duration. Use during the holiday for time within a holiday period. From holiday usually means returning from a vacation. Of holiday is not a standard combination by itself.

They are on holiday in Spain.
We went to Italy for a holiday.
Many shops close during the holiday season.
She came back from holiday yesterday.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on holiday

Talking about being away on vacation

Use on holiday to mean taking a vacation or break from work or study.

My parents are on holiday this week.
We met while on holiday in Greece.
2
for a holiday

Showing purpose or reason for travel

Use for a holiday when explaining why someone travels somewhere.

They went abroad for a holiday.
She saved money for a holiday in Japan.
3
during the holiday

Referring to time within a holiday period

Use during with holiday to talk about events happening within the holiday time.

The museum stays open during the holiday period.
Traffic increases during the holiday season.
4
from holiday

Talking about returning after vacation

From holiday can describe movement or return after a holiday, especially in British English contexts.

He just got back from holiday.
She returned from holiday last night.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on holiday
They are on holiday this month.
Away for a vacation or break.
for a holiday
We travelled to Bali for a holiday.
Travel done for vacation purposes.
during the holiday
Many people shop during the holiday season.
At some time within the holiday period.
from holiday
She came home from holiday yesterday.
Returning after a vacation.
of holiday
The phrase of holiday is not normally used alone.
Generally nonstandard except inside larger noun phrases.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of holiday as a simple phrase

English normally uses holiday with other prepositions such as on or during.

✕ We met of holiday. ✓ We met on holiday.

Confusing on holiday and in holiday

On holiday is the standard expression.

✕ They are in holiday now. ✓ They are on holiday now.

Using from holiday without movement

From holiday usually relates to returning or coming back.

✕ She is from holiday in Italy. ✓ She is on holiday in Italy.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. My brother is ___ holiday until Monday.
2. They travelled to Greece ___ a holiday.
3. Many hotels are busy ___ the holiday season.

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Frequently asked questions

Is on holiday British or American English?

It is especially common in British English. American English often uses on vacation.

Can I say from a holiday?

Yes. From a holiday is natural when talking about returning after a vacation.

Why is of holiday uncommon?

Holiday does not normally take of directly unless it is part of a larger noun phrase such as the spirit of the holidays.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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