left to return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been allowed or is expected to go back to a previous place or state. Example: "After a long day at work, I felt left to return to the comfort of my home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Difficult, having left, to return.

The New Yorker

The guests left to return to New York.

The New Yorker

14. Turn left to return to the pavilion gardens.

The Guardian - Travel

In October, the groom left to return to the apartment in Williamsburg, his passport shows.

The New York Times

Polls find that a majority of the French want the left to return to power.

The Economist

But at the time of this alleged incident, Shrum had left to return to the USA.

Independent

When Mr. Kerkorian sold the studio in 1986, Mr. Rothman left to return to law.

The New York Times

He succeeds Alina Constantinescu, who left to return to New York, the agency said.

The New York Times

Coach Bill Belichick flew to Pittsburgh for his news conference and then left to return.

The New York Times - Sports

They significantly decreased the number of Chinese immigrants into the United States and forbade those who left to return.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We did not sit down and spoke for a minute before we left to return to work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left to return" when you want to emphasize the temporary nature of a departure and the expectation of a comeback. For example, "She left to return to her studies after the summer break."

Common error

Avoid using "left to return" when describing situations where the departure is intended to be permanent. Use phrases like "left for good" or "permanently relocated" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to return" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating a future action or intention. It specifies the purpose or anticipated result of leaving. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left to return" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a variety of contexts. It typically describes a temporary departure with an anticipated return, fitting well in neutral registers like news articles, encyclopedias, and general writing. Alternatives such as "departed to come back" or "went away to return" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. A key consideration is to avoid using it for permanent departures. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as in Wiki and Scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed to come back

Replaces "left" with "departed" and "return" with "come back", emphasizing the act of leaving and the intention of returning.

went away to return

Substitutes "left" with "went away", offering a more casual tone while maintaining the core meaning.

exited to come back

Replaces "left" with "exited", giving a formal tone, suitable for describing positions or roles.

withdrew to return

Implies a more formal or strategic departure, suggesting a planned comeback.

retreated to return

Suggests a tactical withdrawal with the intention of re-engaging later.

relocated with plans to return

Emphasizes the change of location while maintaining the intention of returning.

took leave to return

Formally indicates a temporary absence with the expectation of returning.

abandoned temporarily to return

Suggests a temporary abandonment with the intention of returning.

discontinued temporarily with plans of returning

Implies the presence of plans to return after the time elapsed.

moved with the intention to return

Focuses on a change of location driven by the intention to return.

FAQs

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

The phrase "left to return" indicates a temporary departure with the intention of coming back. For example, "The team "left to return" after gathering supplies."

What are some alternatives to "left to return"?

You can use alternatives such as "departed to come back", "went away to return", or "exited to come back" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "left for return" instead of "left to return"?

No, "left for return" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""left to return"", which uses the infinitive form of the verb "return".

What's the difference between "left to return" and "returned"?

"Left to return" implies a future action of returning after a departure, while "returned" indicates that the action of coming back has already occurred. For example, "She "left to return" next week", versus "She returned last week".