leaving at night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving at night" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the time of departure, specifically during the nighttime hours. Example: "We will be leaving at night to avoid the traffic during the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As Fabien says to his wife, who is a little dismayed that he is not upset to be leaving her for his plane: "It's great leaving at night.

The Guardian - Books

Mitchell Mousian, who lived in the apartment below, said Mr. Marks appeared to stay home during the day, leaving at night and returning about 3 30 A.M. to shower and watch television.

The New York Times

At the same time, several Taliban soldiers said today that many Pakistani and other foreign troops had been evacuated in recent days by Pakistani Air Force planes landing and leaving at night.

The New York Times

I'd get there an hour early each day to park right in the front of the office and would leave an hour early so I wasn't leaving at night.

Vice

The primary antecedents for community-dwelling PWD in this category were being left home alone and leaving at night while the caregiver was asleep.

BMC Geriatrics

If leaving at night, be cautious.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Problem was, he was leaving at noon.

The New York Times

"Our nurse is leaving at noon for a doctor's appointment," the principal, Nathan Dudley, informed his colleagues at a morning faculty meeting.

The New York Times

Leaving at 4: 30 a.m., Rowell spent 12 hours scaling the Nose admittedly, one of the easier routes and another three hours coming back down.

Forbes

I vividly remember taking a manuscript to his office around 7 p.m., and leaving at midnight without a single sentence untouched.

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

They left at night".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving at night" to clearly specify that the departure occurs during the nighttime hours, which can be important for setting the scene or conveying a specific context, such as safety concerns or strategic timing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "leaving at night" with phrases that imply a habitual action. For example, "He leaves at night" suggests a routine, while "He is leaving at night" indicates a specific instance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving at night" functions as a modifier, typically indicating the time of departure. As Ludwig AI suggests, it specifies the time of day, adding context to the action of leaving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving at night" is a grammatically correct phrase used to specify that a departure occurs during the nighttime. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, with a slightly higher prevalence in News & Media. When using "leaving at night", consider alternatives like "departing after dark" or "going away in the evening" to refine your meaning. Remember to use "leaving at night" to refer to a specific case, and avoid confusing it with phrases that describe habitual actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departing after dark

Focuses on the darkness as the primary condition of departure.

going away in the evening

Emphasizes the evening as the time of departure.

setting off at night

Highlights the commencement of a journey during the night.

taking off at night

Implies a swift or sudden departure during the night.

exiting in the night

Focuses on the act of leaving a place during nighttime.

starting out after sundown

Specifies the departure time as after sunset.

leaving in the twilight

Refers to departing during the dim light of twilight.

departing under cover of darkness

Suggests secrecy or concealment during the departure.

slipping away at night

Implies a discreet or unnoticed departure during the night.

taking flight in the night

Implies leaving or departing rapidly at night.

FAQs

What does "leaving at night" imply?

The phrase "leaving at night" specifies that the departure or act of leaving occurs during the nighttime hours, often implying a specific timing or circumstance related to darkness.

What can I say instead of "leaving at night"?

You can use alternatives like "departing after dark", "going away in the evening", or "setting off at night" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "leave at night" or "leaving at night"?

The choice depends on the context. "Leave at night" generally implies a habitual action, while "leaving at night" usually refers to a specific instance or a planned departure at night. For example, "They leave at night" indicates a routine, while "They are leaving at night" describes a specific plan.

How does "leaving at night" differ from "leaving in the morning"?

"Leaving at night" indicates a departure occurring during the nighttime hours, whereas "leaving in the morning" implies a departure during the early daylight hours. The choice depends on the intended timing of the departure.