he would leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he would leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation or a future action that is contingent upon certain conditions. Example: "If he had the chance, he would leave the city and travel the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soon he would leave.

The New Yorker

He would leave his apartment.

The New Yorker

Yes, he would leave.

The New Yorker

He would leave soon.

The New Yorker

Clinton he would leave Senate next Jan.

The New Yorker

He would leave the government.

The Guardian

I can't believe he would leave me, can't believe he would leave us, leave our girls".

The New Yorker

He would leave that to others.

The Washington Post

"I expected that he would leave.

The New York Times

He would leave the gun beside him.

The Guardian - Books

He felt he would leave us shorthanded".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason or condition behind the departure to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he would leave" when a simple past tense ("he left") or future tense ("he will leave") is more appropriate for stating a factual departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he would leave" functions as a verb phrase expressing a conditional or hypothetical action in the future, or a repeated action in the past. Ludwig shows various contexts where this phrase is used to describe someone's intention or potential action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he would leave" is a versatile construction used to express hypothetical situations, planned departures, or repeated actions in the past. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, indicating a neutral register. While alternatives like "he was going to depart" or "he intended to exit" can offer similar meanings, it's crucial to consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate expression. Remember to avoid using it when a simple past or future tense would be more accurate. In conclusion, understanding the nuances of "he would leave" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was going to depart

Uses "depart" instead of "leave", indicating a more formal or definitive exit.

he intended to exit

Replaces "leave" with "exit", suggesting a planned departure.

he planned on going away

Uses a more casual phrasing, emphasizing the act of leaving a place.

he was set to move out

Specifically implies leaving a residence or location.

he had the intention of withdrawing

Suggests a more formal or strategic departure.

he was about to pull out

Implies a more immediate or abrupt departure from a situation.

he purposed to absent himself

Very formal and somewhat archaic, suggesting a deliberate absence.

he made up his mind to go

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of leaving.

he resolved to quit

Implies leaving a job, activity or commitment.

he had decided to ship out

Informal phrase which means he decided to leave, or start a journey.

FAQs

How can I use "he would leave" in a sentence?

Use "he would leave" to describe a hypothetical situation or a repeated action in the past. For example, "If he could, "he would leave" everything behind" or "Every day, "he would leave" for work at 8 AM".

What are some alternatives to "he would leave"?

You can use alternatives like "he was going to depart", "he intended to exit", or "he planned on going away" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he would leave" or "he will leave"?

"He will leave" indicates a future action that is certain or planned, while ""he would leave"" suggests a conditional or hypothetical future action. The choice depends on the context and intention.

What's the difference between "he would leave" and "he used to leave"?

"He used to leave" describes a past habit or routine, whereas ""he would leave"" can describe a conditional action or a repeated action in the past, similar to "used to" but often implying a specific condition or circumstance.