leaving to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a departure or transition to another place or situation. Example: "I will be leaving to attend the conference in New York next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What are we leaving to future ages?

Independent

"They're what we're leaving to our children".

The New York Times

He is leaving to generally favorable reviews.

The New York Times

"People were leaving to get home.

The New York Times

Little said that she was leaving to run errands.

The New Yorker

Now, many are leaving to escape the racist attacks.

The New York Times

Mr. Lavezzo was just leaving to bet the daily double.

The New York Times

There's kids leaving to go to Iraq at age 18.

The New York Times - Sports

"People are leaving to Europe thinking it's paradise," she says.

The New Yorker

Have they every thought about leaving, to escape the war?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He replaces BHS's former managing director, Richard Price, who is leaving to join Tesco.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaving to", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or destination of the departure. For example, "She is leaving to start a new job" clearly conveys her reason for leaving.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving for" when "leaving to" is more appropriate to indicate purpose. "Leaving for" typically indicates a destination, while "leaving to" indicates an intention or reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, often indicating the reason or purpose behind someone's departure. As illustrated by Ludwig, this phrase connects the act of leaving with a subsequent action or destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaving to" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to express the reason or intention behind a departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "leaving to", ensure that the purpose of the departure is clearly indicated to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "departing for" exist, "leaving to" is the preferred choice when emphasizing the intention behind leaving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departing for

Focuses specifically on the act of departure towards a location.

heading towards

Emphasizes direction and movement in the direction of a goal or place.

setting off for

Implies the beginning of a journey or venture towards a specific purpose.

going in order to

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the action.

relocating for

Suggests a more permanent move or shift in location.

transferring to

Indicates a shift from one role or position to another.

exiting for

Focuses on the act of leaving in order to pursue something else.

withdrawing to

Suggests a retreat or departure towards a more secluded or private setting.

retiring to

Indicates a departure from active work or participation towards a state of rest or leisure.

shifting towards

Emphasizes a gradual change or movement in direction.

FAQs

What does the phrase "leaving to" mean?

The phrase "leaving to" indicates a departure with a specific purpose or intention in mind. It suggests someone is departing in order to do something or go somewhere.

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

You can use "leaving to" to explain why someone is departing. For example, "He is leaving to attend a conference" or "She is leaving to start a new job".

What are some alternatives to "leaving to"?

Alternatives include "departing for" (if focusing on destination), "heading to", or using a phrase that more directly states the purpose, like "leaving in order to".

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

While "leaving for" is grammatically correct, it emphasizes the destination, not the purpose. "Leaving to" is more appropriate when you want to highlight the intention behind the departure.