begin to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the start of the action of departing or exiting a place. Example: "As the meeting concluded, everyone began to leave the conference room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Once I begin to leave her, she wants me back.

The New Yorker

The dam will begin to leave them alone briefly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And then they begin to leave, some patting him on the back.

The New Yorker

The priest and the ministers begin to leave, and the Samoans begin to sing, unaccompanied.

Independent

Sooner or later, he said, some of them will begin to leave.

The New York Times

Once he can begin to leave opponents guessing, he will be well on his way to becoming a complete receiver.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Fans began to leave.

The New York Times - Sports

Many soon began to leave.

The New York Times

So people began to leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

The train began to leave the station.

The New York Times

A day later, they began to leave.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to leave" to clearly indicate the start of a departure process, especially when the process may take some time. For example, "The troops will begin to leave the country next month."

Common error

While "begin to leave" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "commence departure" or "initiate exit" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to leave" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of the action of departing or exiting a place. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "begin to leave" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the start of a departure or exit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for more formal or informal settings using synonyms like "start to depart" or "start heading out". When writing, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure the chosen phrase aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to depart

Replaces "begin" with "start" and "leave" with "depart", both synonymous actions indicating the commencement of moving away.

commence exiting

Replaces "begin" with "commence" and "leave" with "exiting", emphasizing a more formal initiation of departure.

initiate departure

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and concise expression of starting to leave.

start heading out

Uses a more casual and directional phrase indicating the beginning of leaving a place.

set off

A concise idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of a journey or departure.

get going

An informal phrase emphasizing the start of the action of leaving.

make a start at leaving

Adds an element of effort or intention to the act of beginning to leave.

show signs of departure

Shifts the focus to observable indications that someone is starting to leave.

prepare to exit

Emphasizes the preparatory actions taken before leaving.

think about going away

Introduces a cognitive aspect, suggesting a consideration or intention to leave.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to leave" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to leave" to indicate the start of a departure. For example, "As the concert ended, people "began to leave" the venue."

What are some alternatives to "begin to leave"?

Alternatives include "start to depart", "commence exiting", or "initiate departure" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "begin to leave" formal or informal?

"Begin to leave" is generally considered neutral. More formal alternatives exist, such as "commence departure", while "start heading out" is more informal.

What's the difference between "begin to leave" and "leave"?

"Leave" indicates a completed action of departing, while "begin to leave" signifies the commencement of that action. For instance, "They leave at noon" versus "They "begin to leave" at noon", implying the departure process starts then.