leave school early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave school early" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to departing from school before the scheduled end of the day, often for personal reasons or appointments. Example: "Due to a family commitment, I need to leave school early today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He spoke with Bordick, but was not sure he would leave school early to sign.

The New York Times - Sports

"And of the 21,000, according to the teachers, many of them sometimes leave school early.

The Guardian

If low-achieving students leave school early, a school's performance can rise.

The New York Times

"In this country especially, as kids leave school early so they need to learn self-reliance early".

Independent

It wasn't often that I got Dad to myself or got to leave school early, and I loved it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The thing about powerhouse conferences like the Pac-10 is that people leave school early," Watson said.

The New York Times - Sports

I would leave school early through a co-op program that allowed graduating seniors to work and go to school at the same time.

The New York Times

There is some evidence that raising skills levels can combat inequality, and governments should certainly redouble their efforts to reduce the number of people who leave school early.

The New York Times

Those who leave school early or without qualifications are tagged, as it were, for low incomes, with a probability that is high and rising.

The Economist

Ron Harper defended what he called "a family decision" to have Bryce leave school early: "He wasn't dropping out and mowing lawns or anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Will Luck leave school early to take his talents to the N.F.L.? After the Cardinal's impressive victory, it was all over but the agonizing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave school early", be specific about the reason if context requires it. For example, specify "leave school early for a doctor's appointment" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "leave school early" when you mean a permanent departure from education. "Leave school early" implies a temporary departure, while "dropping out" suggests the cessation of studies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave school early" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of departing from school before the scheduled end of the day. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave school early" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe departing from school before the scheduled end of the day. Ludwig confirms this, showing it is readily used in various contexts, including news, academic, and business settings. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is essential to differentiate it from "drop out of school", which implies a permanent end to one's education. When using the phrase, clarity is key; providing a specific reason enhances understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave school before graduation

Specifies that the departure occurs prior to completing the graduation requirements.

drop out of school

Implies a permanent cessation of studies, typically due to dissatisfaction or lack of success.

quit school prematurely

Highlights the unexpected or untimely nature of leaving school.

withdraw from school early

Emphasizes a formal process of ending one's enrollment before completion.

skip school

Suggests casual absence from school.

absent oneself from school

Implies unauthorized or unexplained non-attendance.

be excused from school

Focuses on the permission or authorization granted to leave school early.

cut classes

Refers to skipping specific classes, rather than leaving school for the day.

take time off school

Implies a temporary break from school, rather than permanent departure.

play truant

Suggests absence from school without permission, often habitually.

FAQs

What does "leave school early" mean?

To "leave school early" means to depart from the school premises before the scheduled end of the school day. This is often due to appointments, illness, or other commitments.

Is it the same to "leave school early" and "drop out of school"?

No, "leave school early" refers to a temporary departure before the school day ends, while "drop out of school" means to permanently discontinue one's education.

What are some reasons someone might "leave school early"?

Students may "leave school early" due to medical appointments, family emergencies, extracurricular activities, or school-sanctioned events.

How can I ask permission to "leave school early"?

When asking to "leave school early", provide a clear explanation of the reason and, if possible, provide documentation, such as a doctor's note. Example: "I need to "leave school early" today because of a dentist appointment".