left on friendly terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left on friendly terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two parties have ended a relationship or interaction amicably and without hostility. Example: "Despite their differences, they managed to resolve their issues and left on friendly terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Glaser, the founder of RealNetworks, is a former executive of Microsoft who left on friendly terms but later became a bitter rival after Microsoft decided that media-playing software would be crucial to its long-term growth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He said he was leaving on friendly terms and intended to write pieces for The New Yorker from time to time after he went to Time in January.

The New York Times

I would love it, really love it, if Angela Hartnett followed Marcus Wareing's lead, or even left Gordon on friendly terms, and opened her own place, because cooking of this quality deserves a setting that reflects the personality of the cook, rather than the fiscal requirements of a public company and its front man.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Sibley left Accomable on friendly terms in 2016).

TechCrunch

Attempts to convert the Itza failed, and the friars left Nojpetén on friendly terms with Kan Ek'.

Wikipedia

Attempts to convert the Itza failed, and the friars left Nojpetén on friendly terms with the Itza king.

Wikipedia

David left Seinfeld on friendly terms after the seventh season but returned to write the series finale in 1998, two years later.

Wikipedia

The Lions lost a second straight game at Ford Field, this time to the Atlanta Falcons, 23-16 on Sunday, and it doesn't sound like the teams left the experience on friendly terms.

The New York Times

Whitman eventually left Hapgood's employ on friendly terms, and after his departure continued to use the major's mailbox for personal correspondence.

The New York Times

On February 22 , 2013 the band announced that bassist/founding member Adam Duce left the band, albeit on friendly terms.

Wikipedia

"Mark Wossner will stay on friendly terms with Bertelsmann in the future," the company said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To reinforce the positive nature of a departure, follow up the phrase "left on friendly terms" with a brief statement about future collaborations or mutual support. For example, "He left on friendly terms and will continue to collaborate with the team on future projects."

Common error

Avoid using "left on friendly terms" as a blanket statement to cover up underlying conflicts. If the departure was genuinely amicable, provide specific examples or details to support the claim, otherwise find a more neutral phrase like "moved on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left on friendly terms" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb left. It describes the manner in which someone departed from a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts where amicable separations are described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left on friendly terms" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an amicable departure. According to Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media to convey that a separation occurred without animosity. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects a positive or neutral departure. Otherwise, a more generic term might be more appropriate. Some related phrases include "parted amicably" and "ended on good terms".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parted amicably

This alternative emphasizes the peaceful and agreeable nature of the separation.

ended on good terms

This phrase highlights that the relationship concluded positively, with no lingering animosity.

separated cordially

This option focuses on the politeness and respect maintained during the departure.

went their separate ways without animosity

This explicitly states the absence of bitterness or hostility after the separation.

maintained a positive relationship after leaving

This emphasizes the continuation of a good relationship even after the departure.

agreed to disagree and move on

This suggests a resolution of differences, leading to a mutual and respectful parting.

had a harmonious departure

This emphasizes the peaceful and agreeable nature of the separation.

concluded their association without conflict

This formal phrase stresses the absence of disagreements or disputes during the separation.

mutually decided to part ways

This highlights the joint decision-making process in ending the relationship.

severed ties on amicable terms

This phrase indicates a friendly and peaceful ending to a relationship or association.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "left on friendly terms"?

It means that when someone departed from a job, relationship, or organization, they did so without any significant conflict or animosity. Both parties maintained a positive or respectful relationship despite the separation.

What are some alternatives to saying "left on friendly terms"?

You can use alternatives like "parted amicably", "ended on good terms", or "separated cordially" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to say someone "left on friendly terms"?

No, it's only appropriate if the departure was genuinely amicable. If there were conflicts or unresolved issues, it's better to use a more neutral phrase or avoid making a statement about the nature of the departure.

How can I ensure I'm using "left on friendly terms" correctly in a sentence?

Make sure the context supports the idea of a positive or neutral departure. For example, "Despite their differences, they "agreed to disagree" and "left on friendly terms"" suggests a respectful resolution.