I have been on holiday vs I was on holiday

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I have been on holiday' is used to indicate that the holiday started in the past and is still ongoing or has just ended. 'I was on holiday' is used to talk about a specific holiday in the past that is now over.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 2644 views

I have been on holiday

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a holiday that started in the past and is still ongoing or has just ended.

This phrase is used to talk about a holiday experience that is recent or ongoing. It implies a connection between the past and the present.

Examples:

I have been on holiday for the past two weeks.
She has been on holiday since last Friday.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm sorry, I was on holiday and I have just returned.
In the meantime, however, I have received a further complaint from two Dutch families who were on holiday in Valbandon in Croatia.
I've told you, I'm on holiday.
I feed it when they go on holiday.
I still read that on holiday every year.
I was on holiday with my husband and he was taken.
I'm not here on holiday, Mr Sieg.
Besides, I'm not on holiday anymore.
I came on holiday with some friends, they're annoying me...
I was on holiday near Casablanca.
I'm hung over and on holiday.
Went on holiday or something, I guess.
I like the Bois de Boulogne park on holidays.
I was on holiday with friends from school.
The only time I went on holiday was with Pam.
It's July and I'm off on holidays .
'I met a lot of really annoying idiots on holiday.
I'm going to Turkey on holiday.
Gyoshin Ayukawa. I'm here on holiday.
I'm getting a jump on holiday shopping.

Alternatives:

I have been on vacation
I have been away on holiday
I have been traveling
I have been on a trip

I was on holiday

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a specific holiday in the past that is now over.

This phrase is used to refer to a holiday experience that is completed and not ongoing. It is used to describe a past event.

Examples:

I was on holiday in Spain last summer.
They were on holiday for two weeks in December.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was on holiday with friends from school.
I'm sorry, I was on holiday and I have just returned.
I met him 3 weeks ago in Nice. I was on holiday.
It was when I was on holiday last early autumn in France.
You thought because I was on holiday I'd forget about it?
I was on holiday with my husband and he was taken.
I was on holiday near Casablanca.
I was on holiday, bathing at the seaside.
(smiling) Iwason holidayinRome, I was on holiday, in Rome.
Mr President, a few days ago, I was on holiday by the sea, sunbathing on a yacht.
This summer I was on holiday with my daughter in Italy, and she changed 100 schillings in a money-changing machine.

Alternatives:

I went on holiday
I took a holiday
I went on vacation
I had a holiday

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I have been on holiday vs I was on holiday