leaves at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaves at once" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something departs immediately or without delay. Example: "As soon as the meeting ended, she leaves at once to catch her train."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Don't snip off all the leaves at once.

WikiHow

Don't take too many leaves at once though, or you might harm the plant.

WikiHow

Grab the stem and run your gloved hand upward to remove all the leaves at once.

WikiHow

Never harvest more than 1/3 of the leaves at once and allow the plant to regrow before harvesting more.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I leave at once".

The New Yorker

Amini was told to leave at once.

The New Yorker

Leaders of both left at once for London to be near their hero.

The Economist

When Gloria's parents found out about Salvatore, they decided to leave at once.

The New Yorker

Achatz was left at once hopeful and scared of a recurrence.

The New Yorker

In this case — with everyone leaving at once and dissolving the company, that provision is moot.

The New York Times

[Geraldine gets back in the car.] Geraldine: I wish to leave at once.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to leave urgently, use "leaves at once" to convey a sense of immediate action, particularly in formal or serious contexts. Consider the tone and audience, as other options might be more suitable for casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "leaves at once" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or dramatic. Instead, opt for phrases like "leaves right away" or "leaves immediately" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaves at once" functions as a verb phrase indicating an immediate departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. The verb "leaves" is modified by the adverbial phrase "at once", specifying the timing of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaves at once" is grammatically sound, conveying an immediate departure as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in overall usage, it finds its place in neutral and slightly formal contexts, particularly within news and wiki sources. For more casual settings, alternatives such as "leaves immediately" might be more suitable. When employing "leaves at once", ensure it aligns with the urgency and formality of the situation to effectively communicate immediate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaves immediately

Replaces "at once" with its direct synonym "immediately".

departs immediately

Replaces "leaves" with a more formal synonym and uses "immediately" instead of "at once".

exits without delay

Uses "exits" for "leaves" and "without delay" to convey the sense of immediacy.

departs without any delay

A more descriptive version of "exits without delay".

departs right away

Substitutes "leaves" with "departs" and "at once" with the more casual "right away".

takes off at once

Uses the idiomatic "takes off" to mean "leaves", maintaining "at once".

goes away instantly

Uses "goes away" instead of "leaves" and "instantly" to emphasize speed.

leaves the premises immediately

Adds specificity by mentioning "premises" and using "immediately".

makes an immediate departure

Nominalizes the phrase, using "makes a departure" for "leaves" and adding "immediate".

quits without hesitation

Emphasizes the lack of hesitation in leaving, rather than just the speed.

FAQs

What does "leaves at once" mean?

The phrase "leaves at once" means to depart immediately or without delay. It indicates that someone or something is exiting a place or situation urgently.

Is "leaves at once" formal or informal?

"Leaves at once" leans toward the formal side. In casual conversations, phrases like "leaves immediately" or "leaves right away" might sound more natural.

What can I say instead of "leaves at once"?

You can use alternatives like "departs immediately", "exits without delay", or "departs right away" depending on the context.

How to use "leaves at once" in a sentence?

Example: "Upon receiving the news, she "leaves at once" to address the emergency."