leaving forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'leaving forever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of permanently going away or departing. For example: "I said goodbye to the city I had come to love, knowing that I was leaving forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I'm leaving forever.

The New Yorker

And of course, we all know that leaving for college doesn't always mean leaving forever.

The New York Times

"I think if he does leave, Tom will be leaving under his own steam and he won't be dead so it doesn't mean he's leaving forever".

Independent

Take lots of pictures, so we will never forget the home we are leaving forever to go West by covered wagon.

The New Yorker

That is why, on the eve of Mayor Bloomberg's smoking ban, it felt as if a close friend were leaving forever.

The New York Times

Nonni is about to depart for America with a stranger, leaving forever the remote, icy croft that has been his lair and his polestar.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A. Oh, left forever?

The New York Times - Arts

had left forever scarred.

The New York Times

They seemed to sense that to leave now, with no savings, with no resources, meant to leave forever.

The New Yorker

Many of the survivors say they might as well leave forever.

The New York Times

The neoconservative right encourages the conclusion that the only solution is military; the anti-imperialist left forever argues that the neoconservatives are secretly steering America toward war.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving forever" to emphasize the finality and permanence of a departure, ensuring your audience understands there is no return expected.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "leaving forever" in everyday situations (like leaving a room) can sound overly dramatic. Opt for simpler phrasing like "leaving now" or "going out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving forever" functions as a verb phrase modifying a subject, indicating a permanent and irreversible departure. It emphasizes the finality of the act of leaving, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving forever" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to convey a permanent departure. Ludwig AI confirms that it's primarily employed in News & Media, Wiki, and, to a lesser extent, Science contexts. While direct, its use can sometimes sound dramatic in casual settings, and simpler phrasings may be more appropriate. Alternatives like "leaving permanently" or "departing for good" offer similar meanings with slightly different emotional weights. Using "leaving forever" effectively requires considering the context and desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving permanently

Emphasizes the lack of intention to return, similar to the original phrase.

departing for good

Conveys a sense of finality and resolution in leaving.

abandoning forever

Suggests a sense of desertion or relinquishment that "leaving forever" may not always imply.

gone for good

Focuses on the state of being absent with no return expected.

irrevocably leaving

Highlights the unchangeable nature of the departure.

exiting for all time

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing permanent departure.

forsaking completely

Implies a sense of renunciation or giving up something entirely.

retiring permanently

Specifies the context of leaving a job or position with no intention of returning.

withdrawing for good

Suggests a deliberate act of removal or retreat with no plans to come back.

disappearing completely

Implies a total removal from sight or knowledge, adding a sense of mystery.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "leaving forever" in a sentence?

The phrase "leaving forever" is used to indicate a permanent departure. For example: "I am "leaving forever" and will not be returning."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "leaving forever"?

Some alternatives include "leaving permanently", "departing for good", or "gone for good".

Is it too dramatic to use "leaving forever" in regular conversation?

While grammatically correct, "leaving forever" can sound overly dramatic in casual settings. Consider using simpler phrases unless you intend to emphasize the finality of your departure. For less dramatic alternatives, consider phrases such as "leaving now" or "see you later".

What's the difference between "leaving forever" and "leaving for a while"?

"Leaving forever" implies a permanent departure with no intention of returning. On the other hand, "leaving for a while" suggests a temporary absence with the expectation of returning at some point.