depart from

USAGE SUMMARY

"depart from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal context as well as informal context. Example: I wanted to depart from tradition by doing something different with my wedding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others, though, depart from such familiar models.

The New York Times - Arts

Which airport will you depart from?

The New York Times

Judge Rakoff could depart from those guidelines.

The New York Times

Why depart from all that?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two works depart from the others.

The New York Times

"You do not depart from us".

The New York Times

"That's where we should depart from".

The New York Times

Economists can and do depart from the benchmark.

The Economist

They will not quickly depart from the scene.

The Economist

His flight, however, was scheduled to depart from LaGuardia.

The New York Times - Sports

Certitude works, however sharply it may depart from the truth.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "depart from" to indicate a deliberate deviation from a norm, standard, or expectation. Ensure the context clearly explains why the deviation is occurring and what the new course of action is.

Common error

Avoid using "depart from" when simply describing a difference. This phrase implies a conscious choice to deviate, not just a state of being different. If you are simply contrasting two things, use "differ from" or "vary from" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "depart from" is a verb phrase acting as a phrasal verb. It indicates the action of moving away or deviating from a standard, norm, agreement, or location. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "depart from" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a deviation or divergence from an established norm, standard, or location. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news articles and scientific publications. When using "depart from", ensure that the context clearly indicates a conscious choice to deviate and consider alternatives such as "diverge from" or "deviate from" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Indicates a divergence or straying from a standard, rule, or expectation.

diverge from

Suggests a branching off or moving in a different direction, often in opinion or practice.

vary from

Implies a difference or lack of uniformity compared to something else.

stray from

Suggests a wandering or drifting away, often unintentionally, from a path or principle.

digress from

Refers to temporarily moving away from the main subject in speech or writing.

differ from

Highlights a contrast or dissimilarity between two or more things.

veer from

Indicates a sudden change in direction or course, either literally or figuratively.

separate from

Implies a disconnection or detachment from something previously connected.

abandon

Signifies leaving completely or forsaking something previously held or followed.

break with

Suggests a decisive ending of a relationship or association with something.

FAQs

How can I use "depart from" in a sentence?

You can use "depart from" to indicate a deviation from a standard or norm. For example, "The new policy will "depart from" previous regulations".

What's the difference between "depart from" and "deviate from"?

"Depart from" and "deviate from" are similar, but "depart from" often implies a more intentional or significant change than "deviate from".

What are some alternatives to "depart from"?

Some alternatives to "depart from" include "diverge from", "vary from", and "stray from", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "depart from" in formal writing?

Yes, "depart from" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing policies, strategies, or academic concepts. However, ensure the context justifies the level of formality.