leave taking

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave taking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to the act of saying goodbye or departing from someone. An example: "The leave taking was emotional, as friends gathered to bid farewell." Alternative expressions include "farewell" and "parting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then you leave, taking little away.

The New York Times

When Frago tried to leave, taking the money with her, Gilbert shot and paralyzed her.

The New York Times

Le Congé ("The Leave Taking") expresses his sorrow at leaving his wife and his native Arras.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or they could leave, taking a severance package or selling their business to fellow agents.

The New York Times

But I think this is time for me to leave, taking all the mistakes of the past with me".

The New York Times

I get too scared to make mac and cheese and leave, taking a glass of water with me for show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But they made the last act's adagio a poignant, intimate dance of leave-taking.

The New York Times - Arts

Use the correct form of leave-taking.

WikiHow

But the result is a decision that essentially says that sick leave -- taking care of oneself -- is fundamentally different from family leave -- taking care of someone else -- in that it does not depend on gender differences or stereotypes.

Huffington Post

We need "a language for leave-taking", Lawrence-Lightfoot argues, and not just for funerals.

The Guardian - Tech

A story about a child leaving home could have been treated as a weepy leave-taking shaded with sepia sentiment.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave taking" when you want to emphasize the emotional or ceremonial aspect of departure. It's particularly suitable for describing significant goodbyes or farewells.

Common error

Avoid using "leave taking" in very informal contexts. Opt for simpler terms like "goodbye" or "leaving" when casual language is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave taking" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the action or process of departing or saying goodbye. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic studies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave taking" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the act of departing or saying goodbye. Ludwig AI confirms its varied applications, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's important to consider the specific situation and choose simpler terms for casual conversation. Several alternatives exist, like "departure" and "farewell", depending on the desired nuance and level of formality. This phrase has a Common frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departure

A more concise and formal term for the act of leaving.

farewell

A common expression used to bid someone goodbye.

parting

Emphasizes the act of separation.

goodbye

A standard and widely used way of saying farewell.

send-off

Focuses on the event or ceremony organized to celebrate someone's departure.

adieu

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for goodbye.

valediction

A formal speech or statement made when leaving.

going-away

Highlights the act of going away from a place or person.

final exit

Emphasizes the conclusiveness and permanence of the departure.

moving on

Focuses on the transition to a new phase or location.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave taking" to describe the act of saying goodbye. For example, "The leave taking was filled with tears and heartfelt wishes."

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

A more formal alternative to "leave taking" is "departure". It's often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

Is "leave taking" appropriate for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "leave taking" may sound overly formal in casual settings. Simpler options like "goodbye" or "parting" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "leave taking" and "farewell"?

"Leave taking" refers to the act of departing, while "farewell" is an expression used when saying goodbye. The leave taking might include saying a "farewell".