leave school

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave school" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing when someone departs from a school setting, or when giving advice or directions. For example, "When the bell rings, it's time to leave school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We'd both leave school.

The New Yorker

Two-thirds leave school without any qualifications.

The Economist

Or, at least: leave school.

The Guardian

Education doesn't end when you leave school.

Independent

So I had to leave school.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At what age did she leave school?

The Guardian

"I didn't want her to leave school".

The New York Times

"She is not allowed to leave school.

The New York Times

'But I don't want to leave school.

The Guardian - Books

Muslim children leave school unqualified to work, he added.

The New York Times

Today, children leave school at 1 and eat at home.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave school", specify the reason for leaving if it's relevant to your context. For example, specify if someone is graduating, dropping out, or simply leaving for the day.

Common error

Ensure you don't confuse "leave school", which means to depart from an educational institution, with "leaving certificate", which is a specific qualification obtained in some countries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave school" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of departing from an educational institution. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts, such as describing students leaving for the day or individuals dropping out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave school" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe departing from an educational institution. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific reason for leaving school when using the phrase, as it can range from graduating to dropping out. When writing, be mindful not to confuse "leave school" with related terms like "leaving certificate". Overall, "leave school" is a versatile phrase suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drop out of school

This implies a permanent departure from school before completion.

withdraw from school

This suggests a formal or official departure.

finish school

This indicates the completion of studies.

graduate from school

This specifies successful completion and attainment of a degree or diploma.

take a break from school

This suggests a temporary leave of absence.

be expelled from school

This indicates forced departure due to disciplinary reasons.

suspend studies

This indicates a temporary pause in education.

end formal education

This emphasizes the conclusion of structured learning.

cease attending school

This is a more formal way of saying stop going to school.

terminate schooling

This implies a definitive and often abrupt ending to education.

FAQs

How can I use "leave school" in a sentence?

You can use "leave school" to describe departing from an educational institution, such as "Students "leave school" at the end of the day" or "He had to "drop out of school" due to financial reasons".

What is a less direct way to say "leave school"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "finish school" (if graduating), "withdraw from school" (if formally departing), or simply "end formal education".

Which is correct, "leave school" or "left school"?

"Leave school" is the present tense, while "left school" is the past tense. Use "leave school" when describing a general action or future event, and "left school" when describing a past event.

What's the difference between "leave school" and "graduate from school"?

"Leave school" is a general term for departing from an educational institution, while "graduate from school" specifically means to successfully complete your studies and receive a degree or diploma.