resign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is formally giving up a position or job, typically in a professional context. Example: "After much consideration, I have decided to resign from my position as manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to his letter of resignation, Petraeus asked President Barack Obama on Thursday to allow him to resign, and on Friday the president accepted.

The Guardian

Should he resign?

The Guardian - Opinion

One issue upon which they stuck fast - Grade apparently threatened to resign over it - was their opposition to "top-slicing" of the BBC licence fee.

The Guardian - Opinion

The highly partisan response to Sayeeda Warsi's damaging resignation from David Cameron's government revives an old political question: when is it right to resign on a point of policy or principle rather than to fight one's corner from inside?

The Guardian

It's hard to resign – you give up a lot, not just a bit of power, money and the car pool.

The Guardian

The prime minister and nominal head of the AK party, Ahmet Davutoglu, had promised to resign if he failed to obtain a simple parliamentary majority.

The Guardian

He said he had to threaten to resign to prevent the promised introduction of the first patient waiting times for treatment being abandoned.

The Guardian

And Donaldson and his supporters forced through a major policy change stating that unless the IRA not only disarms but also disbands within three months, the Ulster Unionists will resign from the power-sharing government in Belfast.

The Guardian

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA.

The New York Times

Amid the upheaval in late 1992, the first elected president, Rahmon Nabiyev, was forced to resign.

The Guardian

It was literally my one chance to express myself or to resign myself to a life of drudgery in a factory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation when choosing "resign". More informal contexts may be better suited to synonyms like "quit" or "step down".

Common error

Avoid using "resign" when an employee is being terminated or fired. Resignation is a voluntary act, while termination is initiated by the employer.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resign" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of giving up a position or role. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "resign" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of leaving a position or submitting to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral to professional in register, its formality can be adjusted by opting for synonyms like ""step down"" or "quit" for informal settings. It's crucial to distinguish between "resign" (voluntary departure) and termination (employer-initiated). Given its widespread use and clear meaning, "resign" is a reliable choice for formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

step down

Indicates a formal departure from a high-level position, often with a sense of dignity or planned succession.

tender one's resignation

Formal way to express the act of submitting a resignation.

give notice

Refers to the act of informing an employer of one's intention to leave a job.

leave office

Specifically refers to departing from a political or official position.

relinquish power

Focuses on the act of giving up control or authority.

vacate position

Emphasizes the act of leaving a role or post vacant for someone else.

hand in one's notice

Informal way to describe submitting a resignation.

quit

A more informal and direct synonym for leaving a job.

submit passively

Indicates accepting a situation without resistance.

reconcile oneself to

Implies accepting an undesirable situation.

FAQs

How is "resign" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "resign" is commonly used to indicate the act of voluntarily leaving a job, position, or office. For example, "He decided to "step down" and "resign" from his role as CEO."

What are some alternatives to using "resign"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""step down"", "quit", "leave office", or "relinquish power".

When is it appropriate to use "resign" instead of "quit"?

"Resign" is generally more formal than "quit". Use "resign" in professional or official settings, while "quit" is suitable for informal contexts.

Can "resign" be used in contexts other than leaving a job?

Yes, "resign" can also mean to submit passively or accept something as inevitable. For instance, "She had to "resign" herself to the fact that she couldn't change the past."