quit school

USAGE SUMMARY

"quit school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to indicate that someone has left school in order to pursue other ambitions. For example, "He was struggling to keep up with the workload, so he decided to quit school and travel the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's when Rocky quit school.

The New Yorker

By this time, Lolli had quit school.

The New York Times - Magazine

He quit school in the seventh grade.

The New York Times - Arts

When did Mr. Croteau quit school?

The New York Times

He quit school at 15 to pursue his musical interests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He quit school after finishing the eighth grade.

The New Yorker

He quit school at 16 and struggled to get on.

The Guardian

Brian told him to "fuck off" and quit school.

The Guardian - Music

He quit school, moved back home, and entered rehab.

The New Yorker

Others quit school early so they can concentrate on football.

The Guardian - Sport

At 17 Crane quit school and headed for Manhattan.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's decision to "quit school", clearly state the reasons or motivations behind their choice to provide context and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "quit school" when the intention is to describe a temporary leave of absence. Use phrases like "take a break from school" or "suspend studies" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quit school" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of ceasing attendance at an educational institution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Many examples show individuals who "quit school" for various reasons, such as pursuing other interests or facing personal circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quit school" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of leaving an educational institution prematurely. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and to some extent in scientific publications. While phrases like "drop out of school" are similar, "quit school" can sometimes imply a more deliberate decision. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide context regarding the individual's reasons for leaving. Avoiding this phrase when describing a temporary leave is also important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drop out of school

Replaces "quit" with "drop out of", emphasizing the act of leaving school before completion.

leave school prematurely

Adds a formal tone and emphasizes the early departure from school.

withdraw from school

Implies a more formal and official process of leaving school.

abandon studies

Focuses on the act of giving up academic pursuits.

discontinue education

A formal way of saying someone has stopped their education.

terminate schooling

Suggests a complete and decisive end to formal education.

halt education

Emphasizes the abruptness of stopping education.

suspend studies

Implies a temporary interruption of education, though it can sometimes become permanent.

end formal education

Highlights that the person is finishing their education once and for all.

forgo schooling

Focuses on choosing to give up schooling for other opportunities or reasons.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "quit school"?

Yes, "quit school" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe the action of leaving school before completing a degree or program.

What are some less direct ways to say "quit school"?

You could use phrases like "drop out of school", "leave school prematurely", or "discontinue education" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

What are the implications of using the phrase "quit school"?

The phrase "quit school" generally implies a permanent departure from education. It suggests that the person has made a conscious decision not to continue their studies.

Is there a difference between "quit school" and "drop out of school"?

While both phrases are often used interchangeably, "drop out of school" might carry a slightly more negative connotation, implying a lack of perseverance or failure to complete studies, whereas "quit school" can sometimes suggest a more deliberate or proactive choice.