leaving to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is departing with the intention of performing a specific action or task elsewhere. Example: "I am leaving to do some grocery shopping before the store closes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It may be worth it, though, if you are thinking about significantly changing your role in the company or leaving to do something else, Mr. Weintraub says.

The New York Times

Mr. Palatucci, a lawyer who has worked as a registered lobbyist, said he had no definite plans and was leaving "to do something different," according to a spokesman, Eric Shuffler.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I left to do something I've always wanted to do," Mr. Wayne said.

The New York Times

She wants to be left to do something that feels authentic, and of her own choice.

The Guardian - Books

One alternative is to appoint an "insider-outsider", such as a high flyer who has left to do something else.

The Economist

Facing term limits, Mr. Carcieri had only months left to do something to arrest the steep decline.

The New York Times

And we can't leave to do something easier, some nice quiet job in an office — that would be embarrassing!

The New Yorker

The circus had moved on out of town and Oldham were left to do something they are very familiar with: survive.

Independent

If you feel the democratic system has such a deficit, you feel that you only really have your own body left to do something with".

The Guardian

As John Kerry squeaked past John Edwards to win the Wisconsin Democratic primary on Tuesday, he and his advisers were left to do something they have rarely had to do since he defied the polls to win the Iowa caucuses: explain away a performance far less convincing than had been expected.

The New York Times

So is there anything left to do? Something combining that potent mix of danger, novelty and a clearly defined natural barrier to overcome.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving to do something" to clearly indicate the purpose of departure. This phrase is useful when emphasizing that the act of leaving is directly tied to a subsequent action.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who is "leaving" and what the "something" is. Vagueness can lead to confusion about the subject and purpose of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving to do something" functions as an infinitive of purpose, modifying the verb "leaving". It clarifies the intention or reason behind the action of leaving, as highlighted by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving to do something" is a grammatically correct way to express the intention behind someone's departure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with occasional usage in wikis. While generally considered neutral in tone, it's important to consider the audience and purpose when writing. For formal documents, it may be necessary to consider stronger alternatives. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying who is leaving and the action they are intending to do.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departing in order to act

Replaces "leaving" with "departing" and restructures the "to do something" component with "in order to act", emphasizing the purpose of the departure.

exiting with the intent to perform

Substitutes "leaving" with "exiting" and uses "with the intent to perform" to clarify the purpose of the departure.

going away to accomplish

Uses "going away" as a more casual replacement for "leaving" and "to accomplish" to highlight the intended outcome.

setting off to achieve

"Setting off" replaces leaving with a more dynamic verb, and "to achieve" specifies the desired result of the departure.

withdrawing to undertake

"Withdrawing" is a more formal substitute for "leaving", and "to undertake" suggests a serious commitment to the subsequent action.

quitting in order to execute

Implies a more abrupt departure, and "in order to execute" suggests a specific plan of action.

relocating with plans to complete

Suggests a change of location as part of the action, and "with plans to complete" details the intended outcome.

vacating to engage in

"Vacating" implies leaving a place, and "to engage in" focuses on actively participating in the new task.

retiring to dedicate oneself to

Implies a more permanent departure from a career, and "to dedicate oneself to" suggests a strong commitment to the new activity.

abandoning present activity for future endeavor

This alternative is a more formal and verbose way of conveying the same meaning, emphasizing the contrast between the current and future activities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "leaving to do something" to sound more formal?

You could use more formal alternatives such as "departing in order to perform", "withdrawing to undertake", or "relocating with plans to complete" depending on the specific context.

Is "leaving to do something" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "leaving to do something" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "departing in order to" or "withdrawing to undertake" for a more scholarly tone.

What's the difference between "leaving to do something" and "leaving for something"?

"Leaving to do something" implies the purpose of leaving is to perform an action. "Leaving for something" indicates the destination or reason for departure, such as "leaving for vacation".

Can you provide examples of sentences using "leaving to do something"?

Examples include: "He is leaving to do some errands" and "She was leaving to do some volunteering". The Ludwig examples provide more context on real-world usage.