Leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of departing from a place or situation, often as part of a larger sentence or context. Example: "Leaving the party early was a tough decision, but I had an early morning tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.

The New York Times

We are leaving in 2014.

The Guardian

"We have lately seen an increase in the number of persons leaving Norway to take part in acts of war, attend training camps or join terrorist networks abroad," the Norwegian authorities said.

The New York Times

Related: A new study urges leaving fossil fuels in the ground.

The Guardian

These reached boiling point in the western city of Zhanaozen in late 2011 when authorities opened fire on striking workers, leaving at least 14 dead.

The Guardian

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gisby was earmarked to receive a bonus of up to £371,000, but Network Rail said he would be leaving in February without any additional payment beyond that stipulated in his contract.

The Guardian - Business

A judge accepted Whelan's offer to submit his passport and imposed conditions that prevented the executive from leaving the city for more than eight consecutive days without communicating his absence.

The Guardian - Sport

An apocryphal story says that a few days earlier, the then 22-year-old was at the Cannes film festival, leaving a screening of Steven Soderbergh's sex, lies and videotape.

The Guardian - Film

A vote today between the status quo and leaving would be an entirely false choice".

The Guardian

The weaker currency that would result from leaving the euro is not a get out of jail free card, far from it.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Leaving", consider the nuance you wish to convey: departing, abandoning, or simply transitioning. Choose synonyms like "departing" or "exiting" for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "Leaving" when a more specific term like "abandoning" or "deserting" better captures the intended negative implication of leaving someone or something in a difficult situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Leaving" is as a present participle, often serving as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Leaving" is a very common and grammatically correct present participle that primarily functions to denote the act of departing or abandoning. According to Ludwig AI, "Leaving" is usable in various contexts, but especially common in News & Media. When writing, consider the nuance you wish to convey: departing, abandoning, or simply transitioning. More specific alternatives, like "departing" or "exiting", are valuable for formal contexts, while avoiding using "Leaving" when a more specific term like "abandoning" or "deserting" better captures the intended negative implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Departing

Synonym that emphasizes a more formal or official sense of going away.

Exiting

Suggests a physical movement out of a place or situation.

Vacating

Implies emptying or giving up possession of a place.

Abandoning

Indicates leaving someone or something behind, often with negative connotations.

Withdrawing from

Suggests a more formal or strategic retreat from a situation.

Relinquishing

Implies giving up something voluntarily.

Egressing

A more formal or technical term for exiting.

Quitting

Indicates stopping or ceasing an activity or job.

Moving on

Suggests progressing to a new phase or activity.

Forsaking

Implies abandoning or giving up something cherished.

FAQs

How can I use "Leaving" in a sentence?

"Leaving" functions as a present participle and can be used in various sentence structures. For example, "She was "leaving the office" when the phone rang" or "Leaving the city, they felt a sense of freedom".

What are some alternatives to "Leaving"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "departing", "exiting", "vacating", or "abandoning".

Is it always appropriate to use "Leaving"?

While generally correct, "Leaving" might not always be the most precise word. In formal or technical contexts, consider more specific alternatives like "withdrawing from" or "relinquishing".

What's the difference between "Leaving" and "departing"?

"Leaving" is a more general term, while "departing" often implies a more formal or official departure. You might say "Leaving the house", but you'd more likely say "Departing on a journey".