leave without permission

USAGE SUMMARY

'leave without permission' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about someone leaving a place without permission from a person in charge (e.g. parent, teacher, employer, etc.). For example, "The student left school without permission and was suspended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Afghan soldiers often leave without permission to help their families.

The New York Times

The army chief ordered all troops to report to their duty stations and not leave without permission from their commanders.

The Guardian

How she had thrown herself — all 4 feet 9 inches — in front of the door when he tried to leave without permission.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first such full quarantine in Hong Kong in officials' memory, health authorities ordered that no one enter or leave without permission before midnight on April 9.

The New York Times

And he said a woman would not be obliged to remain in her house if an emergency forced her to leave without permission.

The Guardian

He wouldn't leave without permission from the President's staff, he said, preferably from the staff member who was, among the White House staffers in Dallas, the closest to the President: Ken O'Donnell.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"There is a war in Vietnam against people leaving without permission like this," he said.

The Guardian

One day, he went "over the hill", which in army parlance means that you have left without permission.

The Guardian - Film

He left a note for his mother explaining that he missed his father and wanted to find him, and asking her to forgive him for leaving without permission.

The New York Times

The updated advice said citizens who left without permission – many of them to escape its indefinite military service – would not face persecution if they returned.

The Guardian

He left without permission in 1670 to enter the service of the archbishop of Salzburg, but he regularly sent music back to the court at Kroměříž, where most of his manuscripts still reside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing formal or official situations, consider synonyms such as "unauthorized departure" or "absconding" to maintain a professional tone. Using "leave without permission" is suitable for general contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "leave without permission" in highly formal or legal documents. Opt for more precise and legally sound terms like "unauthorized absence" or "desertion" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave without permission" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action performed without authorization. Ludwig examples show it describing situations ranging from military desertion to children running away. The phrase is versatile in describing unauthorized departures across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leave without permission" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an unauthorized departure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context. For formal situations, alternatives like "unauthorized absence" may be more appropriate. As usage patterns indicate, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. Be mindful of the level of formality required to avoid miscommunication and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart unauthorized

Replaces "leave without permission" with more formal synonyms emphasizing the lack of authorization.

abscond without leave

Uses the stronger verb "abscond" to suggest a secretive and potentially unlawful departure.

desert one's post

Implies abandoning a duty or responsibility without authorization, often in a military context.

flee illicitly

Highlights the illegal or forbidden nature of the departure.

run away surreptitiously

Focuses on the secretive and possibly deceptive nature of the departure.

go awol

Specifically refers to military personnel being absent without official leave.

skip out without notice

Emphasizes the lack of notification before leaving.

escape clandestinely

Highlights the secretive and potentially dangerous nature of the escape.

bolt without consent

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or approval for the departure.

take French leave

An idiomatic expression for leaving a place without informing anyone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "leave without permission"?

You can use alternatives such as "depart unauthorized", "abscond without leave", or "go AWOL" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "leave without permission" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "leave without permission" may sound informal for certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "unauthorized absence" or "desertion" to suit a formal tone.

What are the consequences of "leaving without permission" in different situations?

The consequences vary depending on the situation. In the military, it can lead to charges of desertion. In a school or workplace, it may result in disciplinary action, such as suspension or termination.

Which is correct, "leave without permission" or "left without permission"?

"Leave without permission" is the infinitive form, typically used in general statements or instructions. "Left without permission" is the past tense form, used when describing a specific instance of someone leaving without permission.