set to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set to leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is scheduled or prepared to depart at a specific time. Example: "The train is set to leave at 5 PM sharp, so make sure you arrive on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Correction: set to leave.

Independent

The day before, he had been set to leave Strasbourg.

The Guardian - Books

As a result he is set to leave the company at the end of this month.

Independent

Another striker that may be set to leave the club could be Diego Costa.

Independent

As I was set to leave Bahrain, I asked about my luggage again.

The New York Times

I arrived at the airport about 30 minutes before my plane was set to leave.

The New York Times

He is set to leave 15 vacancies; Mr. Clinton left 27.

The New York Times

Separately, Newsnight's economics correspondent, Duncan Weldon, is also set to leave the programme.

The Guardian

Their coach, Ricardo, is out of contract this summer and looks set to leave.

The Guardian - Sport

He recently applied for the government repatriation aid and is set to leave in June.

The New York Times

Head of retail John Browett is also set to leave after being appointed five months ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set to leave" when you want to convey a confirmed or highly anticipated departure. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, indicating a plan or expectation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "set to leave" in very casual conversations where simpler phrases like "leaving soon" or "going now" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set to leave" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a planned or expected departure. This is evidenced by the numerous examples in Ludwig, where it describes individuals, teams, or events that are scheduled to depart.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set to leave" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a scheduled or expected departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media contexts, projecting a sense of certainty and planning. While versatile, it's best to consider simpler alternatives like "leaving soon" in very informal conversations. Remember that while "set to leave" signals a planned departure, "about to leave" suggests a departure happening imminently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scheduled to depart

Emphasizes the planned and timetabled nature of the departure.

expected to exit

Highlights the anticipation and likelihood of the departure.

slated to move

Focuses on the timing and arrangement of the leaving action.

preparing to exit

Stresses the preparation and readiness for departure.

getting ready to depart

Conveys the ongoing process of preparing to leave.

about to go

Indicates the imminence and immediacy of leaving.

on the verge of leaving

Emphasizes proximity and the anticipation of departure.

planning on departing

Focuses on the intention and planning behind the act of leaving.

intending to exit

Highlights the purpose and decision behind the upcoming departure.

poised to move on

Suggests a readiness and eagerness to transition to something new.

FAQs

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

You can use "set to leave" to indicate a scheduled or expected departure, as in "The meeting is set to leave end at 5 PM" or "He is set to leave the company next month".

What's a more formal alternative to "set to leave"?

For more formal situations, you might use phrases like "scheduled to depart" or "expected to exit".

Is "set to leave" appropriate for all types of writing?

"Set to leave" is versatile and can be used in news articles, reports, and general writing. However, consider using simpler phrases in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "set to leave" and "about to leave"?

"Set to leave" indicates a planned departure, while "about to leave" suggests that the departure is imminent or happening very soon. For example, use "about to go" when you are literally at the door.