depart for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'depart for' is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about a person or object leaving for a destination. Example: After saying goodbye to his family, he departed for the airport.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I depart for home.

The New York Times - Travel

The Legion will soon depart for Australia.

The New Yorker

After breakfast, we'll depart for Lecce.

Cornell University

It was due to depart for Britain on 17 March.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Gore will then depart for Los Angeles.

The New York Times

The Ivorians depart for South Africa on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

In August, he will again depart for Iraq.

The New York Times

After breakfast, depart for Bari, the capital of Puglia.

Cornell University

The joined spacecraft would then depart for the Moon.

The New York Times - Science

"A parcel was due to depart for Asia.

The Guardian

As you depart for your hols, here's a cautionary tale.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing narratives, choose synonyms like "leave for" or "head to" for a less formal tone and better flow.

Common error

Avoid using "depart to" instead of "depart for". The preposition "for" is essential to correctly indicate the destination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depart for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of leaving a place to travel towards a specified destination. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depart for" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of leaving one place to travel to another, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating a slightly formal register. When writing, remember that while "depart for" is correct, synonyms like "leave for" may be more appropriate for informal situations. Avoid the common error of using "depart to" instead of "depart for". By understanding these nuances, you can use "depart for" effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave to go to

Replaces "depart" with a more common verb and adds "to go to" for clarity, slightly less formal.

set off towards

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey or trip in a specific direction, slightly more descriptive.

head out to

Less formal and suggests a casual or spontaneous departure.

start out for

Similar to "set off towards", but focuses more on the initial stage of the journey.

take off to

Implies a quick or sudden departure, often used for flights or shorter trips.

move on to

Suggests transitioning from one place to another, implying a continuation of something.

make way toward

Suggests clearing a path or overcoming obstacles to reach a destination, adding a sense of effort.

be bound for

Indicates a scheduled or predetermined destination, emphasizing certainty.

embark towards

More formal and often used in the context of ships or significant journeys.

commence journey to

Highly formal and literary, emphasizing the beginning of a long or important trip.

FAQs

What does "depart for" mean?

The phrase "depart for" means to leave a place and begin a journey to a specific destination. It indicates the act of starting a trip or voyage towards a particular location.

What can I say instead of "depart for"?

You can use alternatives like "leave for", "head to", or "set off for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "depart to" instead of "depart for"?

No, it is not correct. The correct preposition to use with "depart" when indicating a destination is "for". Therefore, "depart for" is the grammatically correct choice.

How formal is the phrase "depart for"?

The phrase "depart for" is generally considered to be more formal than alternatives like "leave for" or "go to". It's suitable for official announcements, travel itineraries, and formal writing.