left their post

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left their post" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has abandoned their position or duty, often in a professional or military context. Example: "The soldier was reprimanded for having left their post during the night watch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"You can count on less than one hand the number of associates that we are aware of who left their post to participate in the rally," said Dan Fogleman, the Walmart spokesman.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, Specialist Barker said he and the other men had left their post near Baghdad to go the family's house, where he and two other men raped the girl, and Steven D. Green, another soldier at the time, killed her, her parents and her sister.

The New York Times

Most of the H Company men left their post without firing a shot, abandoning two new machine guns.

Wikipedia

Every solicitor general from the past 15 years, other than Justice Elena Kagan, left their post of public service to work at firms representing corporate interests.

Huffington Post

During the Battle of Passchendaele, Skirth and another friend, Jock Shiels, left their post when they discovered that their commanding officer had ignored an order to withdraw from the front line.

Wikipedia

Two days later, however, the Congress received word that a group of about 80 soldiers had left their post at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 mile west of Philadelphia, and had joined with the soldiers stationed at the city barracks.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Taliban soldiers appeared to have left their posts quickly.

The New York Times

Ministers from both groups left their posts last summer.

The New York Times

Traffic policemen left their posts as soon as the sun set, in fear for their lives.

The Economist

Wetherspoon's chairman Tim Martin said the two executives had left their posts with immediate effect.

Independent

The Libyan diplomats had left their posts and the building was empty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left their post", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the departure was authorized or unauthorized. This clarifies the intent and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "left their post" interchangeably with phrases like "retired" or "resigned" if the departure was not voluntary. Stick to "left their post" when describing abandonment or unauthorized absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left their post" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. As seen in Ludwig, it describes an action of abandoning or departing from a designated position or duty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left their post" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the action of abandoning or departing from an assigned duty or position. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and applicability across various contexts. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news reports, wiki articles and scientific publications. It is important to note the difference between this phrase and more formal terms like "resigned" or "retired", which imply a voluntary departure. Related phrases such as "abandoned their duty" or "deserted their station" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. When using "left their post", clarity is key to avoid ambiguity about the circumstances of the departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandoned their duty

Emphasizes a moral or professional obligation that was not fulfilled.

deserted their station

Implies a formal or military context, suggesting unauthorized departure.

vacated their position

A more neutral and formal way of saying someone left a job or role.

relinquished their post

Suggests a voluntary act of giving up a position, possibly under pressure.

quit their job

Focuses specifically on employment and the act of resigning.

resigned from their position

Highlights the formal act of stepping down from a role.

walked off the job

Implies a sudden or unplanned departure from work.

departed from their assignment

Focuses on a specific task or mission that was left incomplete.

defected from their post

Usually implies switching allegiance or joining an opposing side, often in a military context.

retired from their service

Signifies the end of a career or term of duty, typically after a long period.

FAQs

What does "left their post" mean?

The phrase "left their post" generally means that someone has abandoned or departed from their assigned duty, position, or station, often implying a dereliction of duty or an unauthorized absence.

What can I say instead of "left their post"?

You can use alternatives like "abandoned their duty", "deserted their station", or "vacated their position" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "left their post"?

Yes, "left their post" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts to describe someone departing from their assigned position.

How does "left their post" differ from "resigned from their position"?

"Left their post" usually implies an unplanned or unauthorized departure, whereas "resigned from their position" suggests a formal and voluntary act of stepping down.