must depart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must depart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a necessity or obligation to leave a place or situation. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must depart immediately to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I must depart.

The Guardian - Sport

I must depart now.

The New York Times

"And that some member economies must depart in order to get their economic houses in order".

The New York Times

Instead, it must depart from Paris-Orly Airport, the civilian international airport south of the capital.

The New York Times

For Europe's sake, the new constitution must depart from this outmoded tradition, not honour it.

The Economist

But however much he might wish otherwise, Ganesh must depart, she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The young men accept, agreeing to tell their fiancées that they have been called into battle and must immediately depart.

The New York Times - Arts

But it does not mean that other restless corners of the archipelago, such as Aceh and Irian Jaya, must also depart.

The Economist

The concept comes in many flavors, but the basic point is to impress upon talented people who must nonetheless depart the company that you are holding out opportunity for a continuing relationship.

Harvard Business Review

UN convoys to besieged areas are often given limited time to unload; permission can be granted at the last minute and they must then depart in time to return to Damascus safely.

The Guardian

While she's off packing her goodies, the Doctor receives a summons to Gallifrey from the Time Lords, and "realises" that he cannot take a human to his home planet and Sarah must indeed depart.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must depart", consider the formality of the context. While grammatically correct, it can sound formal or archaic in casual conversation. Use synonyms like "have to leave" or "need to go" for more relaxed settings.

Common error

Avoid using "must depart" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for more natural alternatives like "have to leave" or "need to go" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must depart" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation or necessity to leave. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, emphasizing the requirement to leave.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must depart" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating an obligation to leave. As Ludwig AI states, it's usable in written English but may sound more formal than alternatives like "have to leave" or "need to go". Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academia and science, although it is less common in informal settings. When writing, consider the context and audience to determine whether "must depart" is the most appropriate choice, or if a more casual alternative would be better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have to leave

Replaces "must" with "have to", a more common expression of obligation. "Depart" is substituted by "leave" which is less formal.

need to go

Uses "need to" instead of "must", indicating a necessity, and "go" instead of "depart", making it more informal.

are required to leave

Emphasizes the requirement to leave, suitable for formal contexts. Replaces modal verb with a passive voice construction.

are obliged to leave

Uses "obliged" to stress duty or necessity, maintaining a formal tone while replacing "must" and "depart" with "leave".

are bound to leave

Implies a sense of duty or obligation to leave, offering a slightly different nuance. Replaces modal verb with a passive voice construction.

should leave

Softens the obligation with "should", making it less forceful than "must".

ought to leave

Uses "ought to" as a more formal alternative to "should", indicating a moral obligation to leave.

have got to go

A more colloquial way of expressing necessity, using "have got to" and "go".

it's time to leave

Indicates that the appropriate moment to leave has arrived, shifting the focus from obligation to timing.

it is essential to leave

Highlights the essential nature of leaving, offering a more emphatic alternative.

FAQs

What does "must depart" mean?

"Must depart" signifies that someone is required or obligated to leave a place or situation. It implies a necessity or obligation to go.

What can I say instead of "must depart"?

You can use alternatives like "have to leave", "need to go", or "are required to leave" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "must depart"?

"Must depart" is appropriate in formal contexts or when emphasizing the necessity of leaving. In informal settings, consider using more casual alternatives.

Is "must depart" more formal than "have to leave"?

Yes, "must depart" is generally considered more formal than "have to leave". The choice depends on the intended tone and audience.