i was leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you were in the process of departing from a place in the past. Example: "When I saw her at the party, I was leaving, so I didn't get a chance to say hello."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was leaving.

The New Yorker

"I knew I was leaving San Francisco.

The New York Times

He asked why I was leaving early!

The Guardian

Apologetically tell him I was leaving midsemester.

The New York Times

But I was leaving Grace at home.

The New York Times - Sports

I was leaving in a few hours.

The New Yorker

Hey, I was leaving the apartment.

The New Yorker

I left without thinking I was leaving".

The Guardian - Books

"I was leaving hell," he told me.

The New Yorker

As I was leaving, I bought the catalogue.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was left of liberal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i was leaving" consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. For example, in professional contexts, more formal alternatives like "I was departing" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "i was leaving" when you want to express a completed action of departure. For example, instead of "I was leaving yesterday," use "I left yesterday" to indicate the action is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was leaving" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (leaving) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was leaving" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe an action of departing that was in progress at a specific time in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in academia and formal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and to avoid confusing it with completed actions. Semantically related phrases include "i was departing" and "i was heading out", offering alternative ways to express the idea of leaving with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was on my way out

Emphasizes the process of exiting a place.

i was departing

Uses a more formal synonym for leaving.

i was heading out

Implies a casual departure, often without specifying a destination.

i was going away

Suggests a longer or more permanent departure.

i was setting off

Implies the beginning of a journey.

i was taking my leave

A more formal and polite way of saying goodbye and departing.

i was excusing myself

Suggests politeness and formality in leaving.

i was splitting

An informal and slang term for leaving.

i was ditching

Suggests leaving abruptly or without permission.

i was vacating

Implies leaving a place empty or unoccupied.

FAQs

How can I use "i was leaving" in a sentence?

You can use "i was leaving" to describe an action of departing that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "I was leaving when the phone rang".

What can I say instead of "i was leaving"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I was departing", "I was heading out", or "I was going away".

Which is correct, "i was leaving" or "i left"?

Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. "I was leaving" describes an action in progress, while "I left" describes a completed action. For example, "I was leaving" indicates the process of departure, whereas "I left" suggests the departure is complete.

What's the difference between "i was leaving" and "i had left"?

"I was leaving" indicates an ongoing action of departure at a specific time in the past, while "I had left" indicates that the departure was completed before a certain point in the past. For example, "I was leaving when the call came" suggests the departure was in progress, whereas "I had left before the call came" suggests the departure was complete before the call.