depart

USAGE SUMMARY

"depart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to leave a place or situation, for example: "The train will depart the station at 8:00pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In August, the US state department advised all Americans living in Egypt to depart.

The Guardian - Sport

As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard.

The Guardian

David Cameron will doubtless depart from his political career next month with the bare minimum of a few lucrative company directorships and a kiss-and-tell book deal, so long as that police horse, Raisa and the lamb he cuddled at Easter can be persuaded to ditch their own competing publications, both currently being ghostwritten from audiotapes by the Financial Times's Ben Thompson.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One Sinhalese Sri Lankan woman was recommended for refugee status, but we're told she voluntarily requested to depart [for Sri Lanka] with the others as she didn't want to be left alone.

The Guardian

Accompanied by one passenger, the pilot made a stopover in Avoriaz, close to the border with Switzerland, and was about to depart when the accident occurred.

The Guardian

Huddersfield will need Vaughan, and Nakhi Wells alongside him, to be on song this time but a year of graft seems likely – particularly with Adam Clayton likely to depart.

The Guardian - Sport

Atlético were exhausted; Mario Mandzukic could hardly run and Tiago had to depart.

The Guardian - Sport

Hardy, all his wrongs now righted, could finally depart the town for a new location where it might actually rain for once.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Pierfilippo Capello departed Parc des Princes at around 2pm with no agreement reached, and with his father preparing to depart for Brazil to watch the rest of the Confederations Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Eric Volz, managing director of the David House Agency, a crisis-management firm that is coordinating legal and publicity efforts for the family, told The Associated Press that the Huangs have been informed by the US government that a number of procedural steps must still be completed before they can depart.

The Guardian

They were stopped at the airport as they tried to depart hours later, despite efforts by the US ambassador to intervene.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance "depart" offers over simpler words like "leave". "Depart" often carries a sense of formality or finality.

Common error

Avoid using "depart" in informal conversations where "leave" is more appropriate. Saying "I must depart now" to a friend might sound overly formal or even pretentious. Reserve "depart" for more serious or official situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "depart" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of leaving a place or situation. Ludwig examples show it used to describe scheduled departures, personal decisions to leave, and even figurative departures from norms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depart" is a versatile verb primarily used to denote the act of leaving, often carrying a sense of formality or finality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in news, business, and formal contexts. While "leave" serves as a common substitute, "depart" provides a specific nuance that suits official announcements and serious settings. Understanding these subtleties can enhance the precision and appropriateness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave

A more common and general term for going away.

set off

Implies the beginning of a journey or trip.

go away

A simple and direct way to express leaving.

take leave

Suggests a formal or official departure.

quit

Implies leaving a job or position.

withdraw

Indicates a retraction or moving back from a commitment.

exit

Suggests a formal or theatrical departure.

absent oneself

A more formal way of saying to be absent.

retire

Implies leaving a career or position due to age or other reasons.

vacate

Indicates leaving a place or position empty.

FAQs

How do I use "depart" in a sentence?

You can use "depart" to indicate leaving a place or situation, often in a formal or official context. For example, "The flight will "depart" at noon", or "He had to "depart" from his usual routine".

What can I say instead of "depart"?

You can use alternatives like "leave", "set off", or "go away" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct, "depart" or "leave"?

"Depart" and "leave" are both correct, but they have different connotations. "Depart" is more formal and often used in official announcements or written contexts, while "leave" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal situations.

What's the difference between "depart" and "exit"?

"Depart" generally means to leave a place or situation, whereas "exit" specifically refers to leaving a building or enclosed space. For example, you might "depart" from a meeting, but you would exit a room.