leaving for work

USAGE SUMMARY

"leaving for work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are telling someone that you are about to depart for your workplace. For example: "I'm leaving for work now; see you later!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

— talk again of leaving for work.

The New York Times

He took out the garbage every day when leaving for work.

The New York Times

Ms. Estemirova, 50, was leaving for work when several men pushed her into a white car.

The New York Times

Kirsten then takes her shower in the newly quiet house before leaving for work.

The New Yorker

Leaving for work, Anita Busch found that her car had been vandalised.

The Guardian - Film

Returning home at 7 a.m. after my first night, I ran into my father drinking coffee before leaving for work.

The New York Times

Journalists let colleagues and family know by phone when they are leaving for work and coming home.

Independent

Leaving for work, I discovered that my fancy doorman building did not have emergency lights — at least none that worked.

The New York Times

Each day, the Painter would arrive around 8 30 a.m., just as I was leaving for work.

The New York Times

Ms. Diaz makes dinner before leaving for work so that her husband can reheat it after returning home.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Francis left for work early.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving for work" to clearly indicate the moment of departure from a location (usually home) with the intent of going to one's workplace.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving for work" when you mean to describe activities performed during work hours. Instead, use phrases like "at work" or "during my shift" to describe actions happening in the workplace.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving for work" functions as a participial phrase, often used to describe an action that is happening concurrently with another action or state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving for work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of departing to go to one's workplace. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is both correct and widely applicable. It appears most often in news and media contexts, with a neutral formality level. While alternatives like ""heading to work"" or ""going to work"" exist, "leaving for work" distinctly emphasizes the moment of departure. Remember to use it accurately, focusing on the act of departing, and avoid confusing it with actions performed at work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading to work

Focuses on the destination rather than the act of leaving.

going to work

A more general way to express the action of traveling to one's workplace.

off to work

Emphasizes the departure aspect of going to work.

departing for work

More formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

setting off for work

Highlights the start of the journey to work.

commuting to work

Focuses on the regular travel between home and work.

on my way to work

Expresses being in the process of traveling to work.

punching the clock

A more specific action that denotes the very start of a work shift.

starting my shift

Focuses on the beginning of the work period.

beginning the workday

Formal and highlights the commencement of work activities.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving for work" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving for work" to describe the act of departing to go to your workplace. For example, "I saw my neighbor "leaving for work" this morning".

What are some alternatives to saying "leaving for work"?

Alternatives include "heading to work", "going to work", or "off to work", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "leave for work" instead of "leaving for work"?

"Leave for work" is grammatically correct but has a slightly different meaning. It describes the general action of going to work, whereas ""leaving for work"" specifies the moment of departure.

What's the difference between ""going to work"" and "leaving for work"?

"Going to work" refers to the general act of traveling to your job, while ""leaving for work"" emphasizes the action of departing from a location to head to your workplace.