just before leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just before leaving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action or event that occurs immediately prior to someone departing or going away. Example: "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone just before leaving for my trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just before leaving, visit the bakery.

The New York Times

Just before leaving Diyarbakir, my grandfather asked him.

The New Yorker

Just before leaving, Shaffer nudged her boyfriend, Jason Scott, awake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just before leaving with them, he looked at me.

The Guardian - Books

"The Gobi's getting hammered," Mark Norell told me in July, just before leaving for Mongolia.

The New Yorker

Then, just before leaving, the three of them crack open their fortune cookies.

The New York Times

Just before leaving the Dominican for Florida for spring training, Cano visited her.

The New York Times

He went to his doctor just before leaving on his trip.

The New York Times

Mr Putin hosted Venezuela's America-baiting Hugo Chávez just before leaving for Maine.

The Economist

Just before leaving the White House, Mr Clinton signed the treaty, to keep America involved.

The Economist

Mr. Clinton interviewed Mr. Knox in December 2000 and hired him just before leaving office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just before leaving" to clearly indicate an action that occurred in close temporal proximity to someone's departure. This helps establish a clear sequence of events for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "just before leaving" when the context already clearly indicates that the action happened close to departure. For example, instead of saying "He checked his email just before leaving, right before heading to the airport", simply state "He checked his email before heading to the airport".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just before leaving" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an action or event in relation to a departure. It modifies a verb, specifying when something occurred. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just before leaving" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that clearly establishes a temporal connection between an action and a departure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register and wide applicability make it suitable for various contexts. Remember to avoid redundancy and consider using more formal alternatives like ""right before departing"" when appropriate. This analysis should clarify the proper usage of "just before leaving" and provide useful alternatives for varied writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right before departing

Replaces "leaving" with the more formal "departing".

immediately preceding departure

A formal and somewhat redundant phrasing of a similar concept.

immediately prior to departure

Uses more formal language for both "just before" and "leaving".

seconds before leaving

Specifies a very short time interval before departure.

shortly before going away

Substitutes "leaving" with the more general phrase "going away".

on the verge of departing

Implies that the act of leaving is imminent.

moments before exit

Emphasizes the brevity of the time frame and uses a different noun.

just prior to exit

Uses more formal synonyms for "before" and "leaving".

in the moments leading up to departure

Elaborates on the time frame, specifying the moments that precede departure.

as departure neared

Shifts the focus to the approach of the departure time.

FAQs

How can I use "just before leaving" in a sentence?

You can use "just before leaving" to describe an action that happens right before someone departs. For example, "Just before leaving, she grabbed her keys and phone".

What are some alternatives to "just before leaving"?

Alternatives include "right before departing", "immediately prior to departure", or "shortly before going away".

Is it more formal to say "just before departing" instead of "just before leaving"?

Yes, "departing" is generally considered more formal than "leaving". Thus, "just before departing" has a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "just before leaving" and "right before leaving"?

The difference is minimal; both phrases convey the idea of something happening immediately preceding departure. "Right before leaving" might be perceived as slightly more emphatic.