opt to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opt to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a choice or decision to depart from a situation or place. Example: "After much consideration, she decided to opt to leave the meeting early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Most people, given the choice, would opt to leave".

The New York Times - Magazine

Should it opt to leave, it would have an incentive not to convert its stock of euro-denominated debts to claims in a new, stronger currency.

The Economist

That raises an awkward question for supporters of independence for Scotland: Could Scots opt to leave Britain but keep their currency, the pound?

The New York Times

Others questioned how a region so reliant on EU funds could opt to leave the union that dished out the money.

The Guardian

Exit penalties have to be paid by the customers if they opt to leave mid-contract, and can cost up to £300 in the telecoms sector.

The Guardian - Business

Some state laws, meanwhile, even provide that a student may opt to leave school as early as age 16, others at 17 and 18.

The New York Times - Sports

They will next meet on Aug. 22 and with housing and manufacturing showing signs of slowing, policy makers could opt to leave rates alone.

The New York Times

If we opt to leave the single market and have our own trade and immigration policies, there is every prospect of the United Kingdom breaking up.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they are no longer compulsory, and many retiring workers will instead opt to leave their money invested and draw down an income when required.

The Guardian - Money

Britain's financial services sector could retain its pre-eminent global position even if voters opt to leave the European Union, according to a leading economics consultancy.

The Guardian - Business

A company memo yesterday detailed Morgan Stanley's new "business casual" policy that lets workers opt to leave suits and ties at home every day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opt to leave" when you want to emphasize a conscious and deliberate choice to depart or refrain from something, rather than simply stating a departure as a fact.

Common error

While "opt to leave" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in extremely informal contexts where simpler phrases like "choose to leave" or "decide to go" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opt to leave" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of choosing to depart or withdraw from something. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as leaving a job, a country, or a contract.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opt to leave" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression indicating a deliberate decision to depart or withdraw from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most commonly in news and media, with notable presence in academic and scientific contexts as well. While it maintains a neutral to professional register, it can be used in some informal situations. Alternatives such as "choose to exit" or "decide to withdraw" can offer subtle differences in meaning or formality. When writing, ensure that the context aligns with the degree of formality implied by "opt", and remember that there are multiple ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose to exit

Emphasizes the act of departing or exiting a situation or group, implying a clear decision to leave.

decide to withdraw

Focuses on the act of pulling back or removing oneself from an involvement or commitment.

elect to depart

A more formal way of saying "choose to leave", suggesting a deliberate and considered decision.

prefer to exit

Highlights a preference for leaving over other available options.

resolve to quit

Implies a firm decision to abandon or discontinue something, often due to dissatisfaction or difficulty.

determine to abandon

Suggests a resolute decision to leave behind or give up on something, often implying a sense of finality.

take the option to leave

Highlights the availability of a choice to depart and the act of exercising that option.

make the decision to go

Focuses on the act of deciding to leave, emphasizing the moment of choice.

opt for departure

Uses a noun phrase to convey the act of choosing to leave, providing a slightly different grammatical structure.

beg to leave

Requests permission or desires to leave, often due to discomfort or needing to be excused.

FAQs

How can I use "opt to leave" in a sentence?

You can use "opt to leave" to indicate a deliberate choice to depart or withdraw from something, as in "Many employees may "opt to leave" if the company's policies are not improved".

What are some alternatives to "opt to leave"?

Alternatives to "opt to leave" include "choose to exit", "decide to withdraw", or "elect to depart", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use "opt to leave"?

While "opt to leave" is generally correct, it may sound overly formal in very casual situations. In such cases, consider using phrases like "choose to go" or "decide to leave".

What does it mean to "opt to leave" something?

To "opt to leave" means to make a conscious decision to depart or withdraw from a situation, organization, or activity. It emphasizes that the departure is a result of a deliberate choice.