leave home

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave home" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone departing their house, either temporarily or permanently. Example sentence: She told him she would leave home forever if he did not apologize.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When homing pigeons leave home.

The New Yorker

We'd leave home, too.

The New Yorker

"You don't leave home.

The New York Times

Dont leave home without..

The Times

Kids leave home.

The Times

Actually, why leave home?

The New York Times - Travel

Just don't leave home".

The Guardian - Film

I never leave home without saline solution.

The New York Times

It is time to leave home.

The New York Times

So he had to leave home.

The New York Times - Sports

"You leave home and you start anew.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave home", consider the context. If you want to emphasize independence, use phrases like "move out" or "start life on one's own".

Common error

Avoid using "leave home" when you mean a temporary departure. Use "go out" or "step out" for short trips.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave home" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of departing from one's residence. It is used to describe the act of someone moving out or starting a life separate from their family. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave home" is a versatile and widely used verb phrase that signifies departing from one's family residence to start an independent life. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While commonly used, it's important to consider the context and permanence implied by the phrase, avoiding it for temporary departures. Alternative phrases such as "move out" or "fly the nest" can provide nuanced meanings. The phrase functions neutrally, fitting various communication styles and audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave the family home

Emphasizes the family aspect of the residence being departed.

move out

Implies a permanent departure from a residence, often to establish independence.

fly the nest

An idiomatic expression suggesting children leaving their parents' home.

start life on one's own

Highlights the independence gained by leaving the parental home.

set off on one's own

Highlights the act of beginning an independent journey after leaving home.

become independent

Focuses on the state of being self-reliant after leaving home.

break away from the family

Implies a more deliberate separation from familial ties.

establish one's own household

Suggests setting up a new residence separate from the family.

go away to school

Refers specifically to leaving home for educational purposes.

emancipate oneself

Suggests a formal or legal process of becoming independent from parents.

FAQs

What does it mean to "leave home"?

To "leave home" means to permanently or semi-permanently depart from one's family residence, usually to live independently.

What's a more formal way to say "leave home"?

A more formal alternative to "leave home" could be "establish one's own household" or "become independent".

Is it correct to say "left home"?

Yes, "left home" is the past tense of "leave home" and is grammatically correct. For example: "She left home last year".

What are some common reasons for someone to "leave home"?

Common reasons include going to university, starting a career, getting married, or seeking independence.