are to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a future action or obligation, often in formal contexts. Example: "The guests are to leave the venue by 10 PM to ensure a smooth transition for the next event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are to leave.

The Economist

The rest are to leave today.

The New York Times

The first are to leave on Thursday.

The New York Times

By September 1st, its troops are to leave.

The Economist

People with bikes are to leave them on the train.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of the American troops are to leave this month.

The New York Times

Four other nations are to leave over the next year.

The New York Times

Later, these setup and switching costs have an impact on how likely they are to leave.

The New York Times

Now he and Mr Southern have announced they are to leave the gallery they founded.

Independent

About 1m workers are to leave public jobs and set up small businesses.

The Economist

Canada's 2,500 troops in southern Kandahar are to leave in February 2009.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to leave" when you want to express a formal obligation, arrangement, or instruction for departure. It is suitable for conveying planned or required exits in official or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are to leave" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more natural alternatives like "have to go" or "need to leave" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to leave" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation, arrangement, or future action. Ludwig examples show it is typically used in formal contexts to express planned or required departures, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are to leave" is a modal verb phrase used to express a formal obligation, arrangement, or instruction for departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and academic contexts. While it is appropriate for formal announcements and planned departures, using it in casual conversation may sound unnatural. Alternatives like "are scheduled to depart" or "must depart" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. When writing, remember to reserve "are to leave" for situations where a formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are under orders to leave

Specifies that the departure is due to an instruction from a higher authority.

are scheduled to depart

Highlights a planned or timetabled departure, focusing on the arrangement.

are required to exit

Formally states the requirement to leave, suitable for official contexts.

must depart

Emphasizes obligation or necessity in leaving, adding a sense of urgency.

are obliged to go

Highlights a formal obligation to leave, emphasizing duty.

will be departing

Indicates a future departure with a sense of certainty, removing the element of obligation.

must exit

Similar to "must depart", but uses "exit" which can imply a more formal or official setting.

should vacate

Suggests a recommendation or expectation for leaving, less forceful than "must depart".

need to exit

Expresses a necessity to leave, slightly less formal than "are required to exit".

have to go

A simpler, more informal way of expressing the need to leave.

FAQs

What does "are to leave" mean?

The phrase "are to leave" indicates a future action or obligation where someone is expected or required to depart. It implies a degree of planning or necessity.

When is it appropriate to use "are to leave"?

"Are to leave" is suitable for formal contexts such as official announcements, instructions, or planned departures. For more casual situations, alternatives like "have to go" or "need to leave" are more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "are to leave"?

You can use alternatives like "are scheduled to depart", "must depart", or "are required to exit" depending on the context.

How does "are to leave" differ from "are leaving"?

"Are to leave" implies a scheduled or obligated departure, while "are leaving" simply states that someone is in the process of departing or will depart soon. The former carries a stronger sense of planning or requirement.