on vacation/ on a vacation

[Ashraful Haque]

I was watching a video on how to use the phrase 'go sideways'. One of the example sentences were 'I was all set to go on vacation until things went sideways.'

I usually say 'go on a vacation'.
"I'm going on a vacation next week."
"I'm going on a vacation to Dubai next week."

Have I been saying it wrong?

 

[jutfrank]

Basically, yes. It's not ungrammatical to use the article but the phrase is 'on vacation' or 'on holiday'. You need a special reason to use the article.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Basically, yes. It's not ungrammatical to use the article but the phrase is 'on vacation' or 'on holiday'. You need a special reason to use the article.

https://www.pristineword.com/grammar-on-vacation/

In American English, we typically use the expressions “on vacation”, “being on vacation”, or “going on vacation” to refer to a period of time (away from school or work) to relax or travel. This is the equivalent of the British phrase “on vacation”.

I went to Spain on vacation last summer.

You can say "on a vacation" to be more specific—for example, to highlight a specific trip or activity during your vacation.

We went on a vacation to Europe last summer.

1) I went to Spain on vacation last summer.
2) We went on a vacation to Europe last summer.

I don't see a difference in 1 and 2. How an I being more specific in sentence 2?

 

[Barque]

On vacation - For the purpose of vacation, I went to Spain.
On a vacation - We were on vacation and we went to Europe.

It's a fine difference, I agree, and often doesn't have much effect.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

On vacation - For the purpose of vacation, I went to Spain.
On a vacation - We were on vacation and we went to Europe.

It's a fine difference, I agree, and often doesn't have much effect.

As a non-native speaker I want to keep things simple and easy.
I want to know if I can drop the 'a' altogether.

1. I'm here on vacation.
2. We're going on vacation to our Aunt's.
3. We're on vacation in Dubai.

Do any of the sentences need the article?

 

[Barque]

As a non-native speaker I want to keep things simple and easy.

Glad to hear that.

1. I'm here on vacation.

This is fine.

2. We're going on vacation to our Aunt's.

Use a small a in aunt's. Otherwise fine.

3. We're on vacation in Dubai.

Assuming you're saying this while you're in Dubai, it's fine.

 

[Tarheel]

@Ashraful Haque The British expression is "on holiday".

 

[jutfrank]

1) I went to Spain on vacation last summer.
2) We went on a vacation to Europe last summer.

I don't see a difference in 1 and 2. How an I being more specific in sentence 2?

In 2, you're referring specifically to your personal vacation to Europe.
In 1, you're talking about the general kind of trip you had, and/or the reason you had for going.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

In 2, you're referring specifically to your personal vacation to Europe.
In 1, you're talking about the general kind of trip you had, and/or the reason you had for going.

At immigration I usually say "On vacation/I'm here on vacation." How would adding 'a' change the message?

 

[Barque]

You're asking the same question in different words. If you didn't understand the earlier answers, please tell us the part you didn't follow.

 

[Tarheel]

At immigration I usually say "On vacation/I'm here on vacation." How would adding 'a' change the message?

They would probably take it the same way regardless.

 

[jutfrank]

At immigration I usually say "On vacation/I'm here on vacation." How would adding 'a' change the message?

The officer is asking for the reason for your visit, so 'on vacation' is what to say in this context. There's no need to use an article.

 

[Rover_KE]

The British expression is "on holiday".

I was waiting for somebody to make that point, Tarheel.

I'd like to emphasise that a very high percentage of Brits never say '(on) vacation').