I was on vacation. vs I was on a vacation.

Both phrases are correct, but they're used in slightly different contexts. 'I was on vacation' is more commonly used and is considered more natural. It's used to indicate that someone was taking a break from work or daily routine. 'I was on a vacation' is also correct but is less common. It's used when emphasizing the specific vacation someone was on.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 23, 2025 • 6142 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I was on vacation."

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was taking a break from work or daily routine.

Examples:

I was on vacation last week.
She won't be available because she's on vacation.
He always looks forward to being on vacation.
They decided to go on vacation together.
We are planning to go on vacation next month.

Show examples from the web [+]

Commander Slattery said you were very helpful while I was on vacation.
She called me while I was on vacation.
As usual, everything went smoothly during their stay; I welcomed these guests when they arrived, but was unfortunately no there for their departure because I was on vacation.
I want to start telling people I was on vacation.
He said, "I was on vacation."
I thought I was on vacation.
I use to come here when I was home on vacation.
On the Foussarde Canal, sir. I was there on vacation.
She couldn't figure it out, I'd told her I was going on vacation.
I was on vacation in England.
Look, I was in Brazil on vacation.
When I was a kid, I was on vacation once.
So you could be talking about 10- or 20- or 30,000 dollars, if I actually had the time or it fit my schedule and I wasn't on vacation.
I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you right away. I was on vacation in Mexico.
I didn't campaign last week. I was on vacation in Maui.
Then I was in New York on vacation.
No, I was on vacation with my boyfriend.
I was on vacation with my wife.
I was on vacation with my girlfriend.
I was just on a short vacation.

Alternatives:

I was on holiday.
I took a vacation.
I went on vacation.
I had a vacation.
I enjoyed my vacation.

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"I was on a vacation."

This phrase is used when emphasizing the specific vacation someone was on.

Examples:

I was on a vacation to Hawaii.
She was on a vacation with her family.
He was on a vacation in Europe.
They were on a vacation at the beach.
We were on a vacation during the holidays.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was just on a short vacation.
Few days earlier, I was on a vacation with my family. I took few wonderful video clips which were about 20 to 30 minutes each.
Sure, I could go on a vacation.
Boris we're not here on a vacation.
After you ended everything with us, I went on a vacation.
You are not taking my son to Europe on a vacation.
Because she just wants to go on a vacation.
Ernie, I'm not going on a vacation.
See, even our President is flying away on a vacation.
It's about a mermaid that takes her family on a vacation.
I don't think he's here on a vacation.
We're going on a vacation.
I'll make him think he's on a vacation.
Atomic Email Autoresponder will be your personal assistant that is never tired, does everything exactly on time and never goes on a vacation.
What, I'm packing to make it look like Corman went on a vacation.
I'm a ballistics expert who's on a vacation.
After you ended everything with us, I went on a vacation.
If you don't want to then we can go on a vacation.
It's not proof of anything other than the fact that he went on a vacation.
I'd promised my wife I'd take the family on a vacation.

Alternatives:

I was on a trip.
I was on a getaway.
I was on a break.
I was on a journey.
I was on an adventure.

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I was on vacation. vs I was on a vacation.

"I was on vacation."

"I was on a vacation."

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