left the highway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left the highway" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something has exited a main road or thoroughfare, typically to take a different route. Example: "After driving for several hours, we finally left the highway to explore the scenic backroads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The car left the highway near Furnace Creek, then broke down.

The New York Times

The officer pulled over Mr. Herrera when he left the highway at Exit 68.

The New York Times

They left the highway, sped through a deserted Holcomb, and crossed the Santa Fe tracks.

The New Yorker

Despite damage to her car, including a flat tire, she kept driving and left the highway, the police said.

The New York Times

West of Gila Bend, the speeding Caliber suddenly left the highway and headed north on Painted Rock Road.

The New Yorker

She kept driving and left the highway, despite the damage to her vehicle, including a flat tire, according to the report.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The third would leave the highway as it is.

The New York Times

When the students finally agreed to leave the highway peaceably, the whole city sighed in relief.

The New York Times

The solutions enter and leave the highway at different positions depending on how far from the highway their initial and final destinations are.

Chemical Engineering Science

And the minute you leave the highway you enter a much earlier moment in the automobile age: Route 66, the fabled Chicago-to-California Chicago-to-California Chicago-to-California

The New Yorker

Which would eventually be installed in a campaign bus that could just drive around states that are in play, while never actually leaving the highway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left the highway" to clearly indicate a departure from a major road, providing context for subsequent actions or changes in direction.

Common error

Avoid using "left the highway" when describing a complete abandonment of travel plans. Instead, use it to specify a change in route or a temporary exit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left the highway" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of exiting or departing from a main road. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left the highway" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of exiting a main road. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its suitability for various writing contexts. It is most frequently found in news, travel writing, and scientific articles. While several alternatives exist, such as "exited the highway" or "departed from the highway", "left the highway" provides a clear and concise way to indicate a change in route.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exited the highway

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the action of exiting.

departed from the highway

A formal alternative that highlights the act of leaving.

veered off the highway

Suggests a sudden or intentional change in direction.

turned off the highway

Implies a deliberate turn to exit.

took the exit

Focuses on the act of using an exit ramp.

left the main road

A more general term for leaving a primary route.

left the motorway

Common in British English, referring to a major highway.

strayed from the highway

Implies a deviation, possibly unintentional.

diverged from the highway

A formal term for branching off.

detoured from the highway

Highlights a temporary deviation from the original route.

FAQs

What does "left the highway" mean?

The phrase "left the highway" indicates that a vehicle or person has exited or departed from a main road or thoroughfare, often to take a different route or reach a specific destination.

What can I say instead of "left the highway"?

You can use alternatives like "exited the highway", "departed from the highway", or "veered off the highway" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "left off the highway"?

No, "left off the highway" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. The correct phrase is "left the highway", indicating a departure from the main road.

What's the difference between "left the highway" and "took the exit"?

"Left the highway" is a general statement about departing from a main road, while "took the exit" specifically refers to using an exit ramp to leave the highway.