left in order to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left in order to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You would use it when referring to the decision to leave something, such as a location or job, in order to pursue or achieve something else. Example: She left her job in order to pursue a career in research.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Municipal sphinxes have left riddling signs that have to be interpreted at speed: turn-right-give-way-cross-turn-left, turn right in two phases only, go left in order to go right.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was doing a PhD at Stanford when he left in order to focus on Google.

Independent

He then told viewers Stewart had left in order to cobble shoes in a small Italian village (he's actually directing a film).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A small part of necessary workers were left in order to serve the city, the workers of communications and so forth.

The New York Times

New Zealand is now just as divided as the country that many of its citizens' ancestors left in order to find a more equal society.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Ben Mantle's The Best Christmas Present Ever! (Macmillan, £10.99), Bear only has three sleeps left in order to make a gift for his best friend Squirrel.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Unlike others, he chose to leave in order to further his career.

The Guardian

She told everyone she was leaving in order to support the Communist movement.

The New York Times - Books

Then a handler told Ms. Paltrow they had to leave, in order to beat the crowds, and she did.

The New York Times

The war resumed, however, and Mesopotamia was partly lost when the emperor had to leave in order to fight Julian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She must leave in order to save what's worth preserving: Clara's child, the community's future.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left in order to", ensure that the sentence structure maintains clarity. The phrase should directly connect the act of leaving with its intended outcome for the sentence to make sense.

Common error

Avoid using "left in order to" when a simpler 'to' infinitive would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose. For example, instead of 'He left in order to buy groceries', 'He left to buy groceries' is more concise and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left in order to" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies the verb 'left' by specifying the reason or intention behind the action. Ludwig's examples showcase how it connects the departure with a subsequent goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left in order to" serves as a purpose connector, explicitly stating the reason behind someone's departure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests it's best used when you want to emphasize the intention behind the action, though a simpler 'to' infinitive might suffice in less formal contexts. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. Remember to use this phrase to ensure your writing is clear and to emphasize the reason behind a departure, and avoid redundancy by using simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left so as to

Emphasizes the intention or goal behind leaving.

left with the intention of

Adds emphasis to the planned purpose of departure.

departed to

Focuses on the action of leaving with a specific destination or purpose.

left for the purpose of

Directly states the reason for leaving.

left with the goal of

Highlights the desired outcome of leaving.

withdrew to

Suggests a more formal or strategic departure.

exited to

Highlights the act of leaving to pursue an objective.

went away to

A more informal way of saying someone left for a reason.

set off to

Emphasizes the beginning of a journey with a specific aim.

relocated to

Implies a more permanent move for a specific reason.

FAQs

How can I use "left in order to" in a sentence?

Use "left in order to" to clearly express the purpose behind someone's departure. For example, "She "left in order to" attend the meeting on time."

What are some alternatives to "left in order to"?

You can use alternatives like "left so as to", "departed to", or "exited to" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "in order to" after 'left'?

No, often a simpler 'to' infinitive is sufficient. Use "left in order to" when you want to emphasize the purpose or intention behind the departure. Otherwise, 'left to' is usually more concise.

What's the difference between "left to" and "left in order to"?

"Left to" simply indicates the action that follows the departure, while "left in order to" emphasizes the specific reason or goal that motivated the departure. The latter adds more weight to the intention behind leaving.