before leaving to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before leaving to work" is not entirely correct in English; it should be "before leaving for work." You can use it when referring to actions or tasks that need to be completed prior to going to your workplace.
Example: "I always make sure to have breakfast before leaving for work."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He was the pastor of numerous churches in California before leaving to work full time on the men's ministry.

The New York Times

Archie Knox, who was assistant to Ferguson at Aberdeen, then Manchester United before leaving to work alongside Smith at Ibrox, says that very little separates the two men.

Independent

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Frank entered New York University in 1924 before leaving to work as a sales assistant at a water pump company.

The New York Times

The author began her career in the Foreign Office, serving in Poland, before leaving to work for Oxfam as a campaigner for civilians in conflict zones.

The Guardian - Books

In the intervening years, as the US expanded its already sprawling security apparatus in response to the attacks on 11 September 2001, Snowden rose up the ranks before leaving to work for outside contractors.

Independent

Thomas worked as a music teacher in secondary schools across London before leaving to work with people living with dementia – he now delivers sessions in care homes, using creative tasks to help stimulate memories.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Mr. von Behren was one of the creators of Google Wallet before he left to work at Square and later at Braintree.

The New York Times - Tech

Beneschott completed just one year at Princeton before taking leave to work on Admish, which is based in Princeton.

Princeton University

Wilson may have been an indentured servant living with a family in Milford before she left to work as a domestic in Massachusetts, marrying Thomas Wilson, a fugitive slave, in 1851.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On a recent day, as workmen were laying the hardwood floor, Smith conducted a stadium tour that is second nature to her: she was part of the design team that created the ballpark before she left to work for the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox and then returned to her old position in Baltimore.

The New York Times - Sports

Cohler spent several years working at LinkedIn before he left to work at Facebook.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before leaving to work", ensure that the context clearly indicates tasks completed prior to starting work. While acceptable, consider using the more grammatically correct and common phrase "before leaving for work".

Common error

Avoid using "to" when "for" is more appropriate. Using "before leaving for work" is generally preferred over "before leaving to work" because it follows standard English prepositional usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before leaving to work" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an action in relation to commencing employment duties. Although acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that using "before leaving for work" is more grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "before leaving to work" is used in various contexts, it's often more grammatically appropriate to use "before leaving for work". Ludwig AI flags that although it is understandable, it's not the most grammatically sound phrase. The phrase serves to indicate actions taken prior to beginning work and is used across news, business, and general informational sources. For clearer and more standard English, consider using alternatives such as "before heading to work" or "prior to departing for work".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to departing for work

Replaces 'before leaving' with 'prior to departing', adding a formal tone.

before heading to work

Substitutes 'leaving' with 'heading', creating a more casual feel.

ahead of going to work

Uses 'ahead of' instead of 'before', changing the preposition.

before setting off for work

Replaces 'leaving' with 'setting off', adding a sense of journey.

before starting the workday

Shifts focus from leaving to the start of work

prior to commencing work

Uses formal synonyms 'prior to' and 'commencing'.

before one's departure for work

Rephrases to emphasize the act of departure.

before reporting for duty

A more formal and military-style phrasing.

prior to the commute

Focuses on the commute itself.

before the start of work

A more direct approach to defining timing.

FAQs

Is "before leaving to work" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "before leaving to work" is not the most grammatically sound phrase. A more common and grammatically correct alternative is "before leaving for work."

What's a better way to phrase "before leaving to work"?

Consider using phrases like "before heading to work", "prior to departing for work", or simply "before leaving for work" for improved clarity.

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "before leaving to work"?

It's acceptable when the context focuses on specific actions or tasks done before the act of going to work. However, "before leaving for work" is usually a safer and more universally accepted option.

How can I ensure my sentence is clear when describing actions before going to work?

Prioritize using the preposition "for" instead of "to" with "leaving". Also, consider using alternatives like "before going to work" or being more specific about the tasks completed.