left on schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left on schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something departed or was completed at the planned or expected time. Example: "The train left on schedule, ensuring that all passengers arrived at their destinations on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While departing flights initially left on schedule, subsequent services were cancelled or seriously delayed.

Independent

They were interested first in their own protection, making sure all Mr. Milosevic's troops and security forces left on schedule.

The New York Times

In January, only 58percentt of flights from O'Hare left on schedule and just 52percentt landed on time, according to the Transportation Department.

The New York Times - Travel

A complex system called Movement Control assured that the men and vehicles left on schedule from twenty departure points.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Colgate has only one game left on its regular-season schedule, against Holy Cross in two weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

With one game left on the regular-season schedule, Butler finds itself in a good place in the Atlantic 10 standings.

The New York Times

Every game left on Ohio State's schedule is winnable, but this team isn't going to win them all because it is flawed.

The New York Times

The Rams 14-111, 3-8) entered as the only team with a winning record left on St Joseph's schedule, and they appeared to be the biggest threat to an undefeated regular season.

The New York Times - Sports

The ship is expected to leave on schedule for a 10-night cruise, including stops at Lisbon, Tangier, Bilbao and La Rochelle, on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Two of the three opposition parties in Parliament insist the troops should leave on schedule while the third wants them out now.

The New York Times

Boris Nemtsov, co-founder of a committee set up to make sure he leaves on schedule, says that, if he does want to stick around, international obloquy would give him greater pause than domestic opinion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When confirming that events or transportation occurred as expected, use "left on schedule" to assure stakeholders of proper timing and adherence to plans. For example, in project management, you might state, "The delivery truck left on schedule, so we anticipate arrival by this evening."

Common error

Avoid using "left on schedule" when describing ongoing processes or states; it's best suited for describing departures or completed actions. Instead of saying "The project left on schedule", which is less common, clarify with "The project kicked off on schedule" if referring to the start, or "The project remains on schedule" if indicating progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left on schedule" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. It specifies when something departed or began, affirming that it happened according to the planned timetable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left on schedule" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to indicate that something departed or started at the expected time. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's relatively rare compared to similar phrases. It commonly appears in news and media contexts to convey assurance and factual information. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "departed punctually" or "commenced at the designated time", and avoid using it for ongoing processes. Understanding its appropriate contexts and having suitable alternatives enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed punctually

Replaces "left" with "departed" and "on schedule" with "punctually", emphasizing timeliness.

took off as planned

Substitutes "left" with "took off" (common in aviation contexts) and "on schedule" with "as planned", maintaining the intended meaning.

commenced at the designated time

Replaces "left" with "commenced" and "on schedule" with "at the designated time", increasing formality.

began according to timetable

Uses "began" instead of "left" and "according to timetable" in place of "on schedule", focusing on adherence to a pre-set plan.

set off as expected

Employs "set off" instead of "left" and "as expected" for "on schedule", conveying a sense of anticipation and normality.

departed at the appointed hour

Substitutes "left" with "departed" and "on schedule" with "at the appointed hour", adding a touch of formality and precision.

left as per arrangement

Replaces "on schedule" with "as per arrangement", highlighting a prior agreement or understanding.

started without delay

Replaces "left" with "started" and focuses on the absence of delay, rather than adherence to a specific schedule.

kicked off as agreed

Uses "kicked off" instead of "left" and "as agreed" for "on schedule", highlighting a prior agreement or understanding.

commenced operations as planned

Replaces "left" with "commenced operations" and "on schedule" with "as planned", increasing formality and scope.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "left on schedule" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "departed punctually" or "commenced at the designated time". These options add a layer of professionalism to your communication.

Is there a difference between "left on schedule" and "departed as planned"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "left on schedule" emphasizes adherence to a specific timetable, whereas "departed as planned" highlights alignment with pre-arranged intentions. The choice depends on whether you want to stress timing or overall planning.

What's a less formal way to say "left on schedule"?

In less formal contexts, you can opt for phrases like "set off as expected" or "started without delay". These options are more conversational and suitable for everyday communication.

Can "left on schedule" be used for things other than transportation?

Yes, "left on schedule" can describe any event or activity that begins at its planned time. For example, you might say, "The meeting left on schedule", though other alternatives like "commenced operations as planned" may be more appropriate depending on the context.