i left around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I left around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a general time when you departed from a place, often implying some uncertainty about the exact time. Example: "I left around 5 PM, so I should be home by 6."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I was very aware of my position as England captain and I left around 10pm; I was leaving as the other group [the more enthusiastic party animals] were arriving.

Independent

I joked to director Abel Ferrara as I left around midnight that perhaps every post-screening Q&A at Cannes should be held in a nightclub.

BBC

Jason and I left around 4AM while Feelgood stood behind the decks in the main room.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The earliest I would leave would be after a performance begins, around 8 p.m. On an average night I leave around midnight.

The New York Times

I'll leave it in the mailbox when I leave around midnight.' " Shavelson continues, "I never found out who she was.

The New Yorker

From my face appearing in comments left by my friend after I borrow his computer to my boss's face appearing in comments I leave because we co-author the same blog to Michael Arrington's dog's face appearing next to comments I leave around the web for who knows what reason – MyBlogLog cookies have a tendency to get mixed up.

TechCrunch

When I leave around 3 in the morning, DJ Pauly D is still spinning.

Vice

The second interview came a few days later and I had picked up where I left off joking around with the recruiter.

Huffington Post

"Could've sworn I left it around here".

The Guardian - Books

I left work around lunchtime, and a lot of the food places were already closed or soon to close.

The Guardian

Battery life Tolerable – I generally got a day or two if I left it around and didn't actually do anything with it (the temptation to pick it up truly was not strong).

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If precision is crucial, consider using more specific alternatives like "i left at approximately [time]".

Common error

Avoid using "i left around" in contexts that demand exactness. If you need to specify the precise moment of departure, use a more precise formulation or specific time instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i left around" functions as a modifier of the verb 'left', indicating the approximate time of departure. As evidenced by the examples found by Ludwig, this phrase is used to provide a general timeframe rather than a precise moment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i left around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to indicate an approximate departure time. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity, and the examples show that it is most frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of precision required by the context and consider using more specific alternatives if necessary. It is best used in casual and conversational settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I left at roughly

Replaces 'around' with 'roughly' to indicate an approximate time.

I departed at approximately

More formal alternative, emphasizing a calculated estimate of departure.

I exited at about

More direct, focusing on the act of exiting a location at an approximate hour.

I went away about

Less formal, using 'went away' to indicate leaving a place.

I set off near

Highlights the beginning of a journey at an estimated time.

I cleared out near

More casual; evokes a sense of hurried or definite departure.

I took off at approximately

Suggests quick or informal departure, with emphasis on imprecision.

I pulled out close to

Informal expression suggesting a departure in a vehicle or some sense of physical extrication.

I bailed out close to

Very informal, suggesting abrupt or urgent departure.

I split at roughly

Slang term that means 'to leave'.

FAQs

How can I use "i left around" in a sentence?

You can use "i left around" to indicate an approximate departure time, for example: "I left around 5 PM to catch the train".

What does "i left around" imply about the departure time?

The phrase "i left around" suggests that the departure time is not exact, but rather an estimate or approximation. This indicates that the time may vary slightly before or after the stated time.

Which is a more formal way to say "i left around"?

A more formal way to express the same idea is to say "I departed at approximately" followed by the time.

What's the difference between "i left around" and "i left exactly at"?

While "i left around" indicates an approximate time, "i left exactly at" signifies a precise time, leaving no room for estimation. If you use "I left exactly at 5 PM" it means that this was the precise time of departure.