departing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "departing" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is leaving a particular place or a particular situation. For example, "The departing guests waved goodbye as the bus drove away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Katherine Bavage is 28-year-old Lib Dem member Nick Clegg's departing message to Lib Dem conference was easy to anticipate: coalition may have been tough for the party but it remains right for the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"For me it wasn't a case of 'my career isn't going right, I'm not playing for Chelsea'," said Bertrand, who made only one league appearance under the Portuguese in 2013 before departing to Aston Villa on loan.

The Guardian - Sport

Andrew Metcalfe, long-serving head of the Department of Immigration and most recently head of the Department of Agriculture, is also departing.

The Guardian

Might Mrs Bates and Lady Edith be departing, hence talking to producers?

The Guardian

Those compelling questions, coupled with a petty reference about "vulture capitalism" from the departing Rick Perry, initiated Gingrich's surge last week.

The Guardian - Opinion

September to June Book it: Wild Frontiers (020 7736 3968; wildfrontiers.co.uk) offers an eight-day walk in the mountains from £1,595, departing 13 February 2010, including accommodation, all meals, domestic flights, services of a tour leader and a local guide.

The Guardian - Travel

January to May Book it: Real Holidays (020 7359 3938; srilankaportfolio.co.uk) offers a 15-day package, including Yala, from £2,285, departing 29 January 2010, including B&B accommodation, all flights and transfers For adventurous horse trekking you can't beat Kyrgyzstan.

The Guardian - Travel

Atlético had been a fingertip away from winning the league on the penultimate weekend, their players departing the field with a haunted look in their eyes.

The Guardian - Sport

These prices are valid for two adults and up to four children arriving in the afternoon on May 5 and departing late afternoon May 7 or early morning May 8.

The Guardian - Travel

Abu Ghraib was the scene of the biggest – and most damaging – breakout in 2013, with up to 500 inmates, many of them senior jihadists handed over by the departing US military, fleeing in July of that year after the prison was stormed by Islamic State forces, who launched a simultaneous, and equally successful, raid on nearby Taji prison.

The Guardian

June to September Book it: Wild Frontiers (020 7736 3968; wildfrontiers.co.uk) has a nine-day horse trek from £1,195, departing 7 August, including full-board accommodation and transfers.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "departing" to add a sense of formality or finality to the act of leaving, especially in professional or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "departing" in very informal settings. Words like "leaving" or "going" are often more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The word "departing" functions as a present participle and a gerund. It serves as a verb form indicating an ongoing action of leaving or as a noun referring to the act of departure. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "departing" is a versatile word primarily used to describe the act of leaving or something in the process of leaving. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a present participle and gerund, fitting into various grammatical contexts. While grammatically sound, its formality should be considered, making it less suitable for casual conversations. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, "departing" adds a touch of officialdom to the act of leaving. Alternatives like "leaving" or "exiting" might be more appropriate depending on the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving

Direct synonym, indicating the act of going away.

exiting

Implies a more formal or structured departure.

going away

Emphasizes the destination of the departure.

withdrawing

Suggests a deliberate removal from a situation or location.

vacating

Highlights the act of making a place empty by leaving.

setting off

Focuses on the start of a journey or movement.

moving on

Implies a transition to a new phase or location.

taking off

Often used for airplanes or sudden departures.

quitting

Indicates leaving a job or position.

disappearing

Implies a sudden and complete vanishing.

FAQs

How can I use "departing" in a sentence?

"Departing" can be used as a verb to describe the act of leaving, or as an adjective to describe something that is leaving. For example, "The "departing train" was delayed" or "He was "departing from" his usual routine".

What's the difference between "departing" and "leaving"?

While both words describe the act of going away, "departing" often carries a more formal or official tone than "leaving". "Leaving" is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while "departing" might be preferred in announcements or formal writing.

What can I say instead of "departing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "leaving", "exiting", or "going away". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "departing" to describe a person who is retiring?

Yes, "departing" can be used to describe a person who is retiring, especially in formal announcements. For example, "The "departing CEO" will be honored at a ceremony". However, phrases like "retiring" or "stepping down" are more common.