leaving home

USAGE SUMMARY

"leaving home" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone who is leaving their home (for example, to go to college, to travel, etc.) For example: "After years of dreaming about it, my son is finally leaving home to pursue a degree in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leaving home.

The Guardian

That's leaving home.

The Guardian - Sport

Were they leaving home?

The New Yorker

It isn't always easy leaving home.

The New York Times

"I'm leaving home," I said.

The Guardian - Books

Leaving home and moving country.

The Guardian

She's leaving home, bye-bye.

The New Yorker

Was it traumatic, leaving home?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Leaving home at 22 was not easy.

The New York Times - Arts

The worst thing, however, is leaving home.

The New York Times

"It was a way of leaving home.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaving home", consider the specific context. Is it about moving out for the first time, emigrating, or simply going on a trip? Choose synonyms or related phrases to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, use "moving out" if you want to be more specific.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving home" when you actually mean a temporary absence, such as going to work or running errands. "Leaving home" often implies a more permanent or significant departure. For temporary absences, you might say "going out" or "stepping out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving home" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the action of departing from one's home, whether temporarily or permanently. Ludwig's examples show it used as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving home" is a common and generally neutral expression that describes the act of departing from one's residence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While seemingly straightforward, the phrase carries various connotations depending on the context, ranging from exciting new beginnings to bittersweet farewells. Be mindful of these nuances and consider using more specific alternatives, such as "moving out" or "emigrating", to ensure clarity. The expression is commonly used in "News & Media" and appears less frequently in "Wiki" and "Reference" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving the family home

Specifically mentions leaving the home where one's family resides, adding clarity.

departing from home

Focuses on the act of departing, similar to leaving but emphasizes the action.

moving out

Implies a permanent change of residence, particularly from a family home.

emigrating

Refers to leaving one's home country to settle in another.

relocating

Indicates a change of location, often for work or personal reasons.

starting a new life

Highlights the beginning of a new chapter, often associated with leaving familiar surroundings.

becoming independent

Emphasizes the aspect of gaining autonomy, which often accompanies moving out.

flying the nest

An idiomatic expression referring to children leaving their parents' home.

going away

A more general term for leaving one's current location, including home.

striking out on one's own

Describes the act of beginning an independent life away from family or support.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving home" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving home" to describe the act of someone moving out of their family residence or country. For example, "Leaving home is a significant step toward independence".

What are some alternatives to "leaving home"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "leaving home" include "moving out", "emigrating", or "relocating". Each carries slightly different connotations.

Is "leaving home" the same as "running away from home"?

No, "leaving home" generally implies a planned or voluntary departure, whereas "running away from home" suggests an abrupt and often unwanted departure, usually associated with minors.

What's the emotional impact often associated with "leaving home"?

The experience of "leaving home" is often bittersweet, marked by a mix of excitement for independence and sadness for leaving familiar comforts and relationships. It's a significant life transition.