leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as when instructing someone to depart or when discussing the act of allowing someone to go. Example: "Please leave your shoes at the door before entering the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

Travel

Education

Money

TV & Radio

Film

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

PH: "Leave me alone, you have no place in my life and no right to be proud.

The Guardian

A Labour source said that, given teenagers have a "tremendous vested interest in whether or not we stay in the EU or leave", there could be a strong appetite for amending the EU referendum bill in the Lords, even if Labour and the SNP fail to recruit the relatively small number of Tory rebels they would need to defeat the government in the Commons.

The Guardian

They have refused requests from the police negotiators to leave the balcony".

The Guardian

"We will propose a 'double majority' rule – meaning that unless England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each vote to leave the EU, as well as the UK as a whole, Britain would remain a member state".

The Guardian

Drain and leave to cool.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let's just leave it at that".

The New York Times - Sports

So where does that leave us?

The New York Times - Magazine

Take it or leave it.

The New York Times

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

The New York Times

Against this, the three options set out for debate would leave an individual paying an average £20,000-£22,500 under a basic partnership scheme, though some would pay far more; £20,000-£25,000 under a voluntary insurance scheme, though the uninsured might pay much more; and £17,000-£20,000 under a compulsory comprehensive scheme.

The Guardian

However, it did leave me thinking what the party would look like if the membership had left the leadership alone in Whitehall.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave" to indicate bequest, clarify who is receiving the inheritance: "She left her entire estate to her grandchildren."

Common error

A common error is mistaking "leave" for "live". "Leave" means to depart or allow to remain, while "live" means to reside or exist. Ensure you use the correct verb based on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The verb "leave" primarily functions as a transitive or intransitive verb, indicating the act of departing from a place, allowing something to remain, or entrusting something to someone. Ludwig AI examples showcase diverse applications of the word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Opinion

14%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Lifestyle

6%

Money

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "leave" is a versatile verb with multiple meanings, ranging from departing a location to bequeathing something in a will. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As a very common term, it appears frequently in contexts such as news, opinion pieces and sports reporting. Understanding the nuances of "leave" and its alternatives, such as "depart" or "relinquish", can help you write with greater precision and clarity. Remember to differentiate "leave" from the homophone "live" to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart

A more formal synonym for physically going away from a place.

exit

Implies a departure from a specific location or situation.

go away

A simple and direct way to express departing.

relinquish

Suggests giving up or letting go of something, like a position or responsibility.

abandon

Implies leaving something or someone behind, often with a negative connotation.

entrust

Focuses on giving someone responsibility or care of something.

bequeath

Specifically refers to leaving something to someone in a will.

allow to remain

Highlights the act of permitting something to stay in place.

forsake

Indicates a complete abandonment or desertion of someone or something.

vacate

Means to give up occupancy of a place.

FAQs

How do I use "leave" correctly in a sentence?

"Leave" can be used in many ways: to depart from a place (e.g., "I will leave now"), to allow something to remain (e.g., "Leave the door open"), or to bequeath something (e.g., "She left me her fortune"). Make sure the context is clear.

What can I say instead of "leave" when talking about departing?

You can use alternatives like "depart", "exit", or "go away" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "leave" or "leave off"?

"Leave" is generally used to indicate departing or allowing something to remain. "Leave off" means to stop or desist from something. For example, "Leave off bothering me" means "Stop bothering me".

What's the difference between "leave" and "let"?

"Leave" can mean to depart or to allow something to remain. "Let" means to allow or permit something to happen. For example, "Leave the book on the table" means allow it to remain there, while "Let me help you" means allow me to assist.