target to leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "target to leave" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a goal or intention to depart, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "Our target to leave is set for 3 PM, so we need to be ready by then."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

American combat troops are on target to leave Iraq by the end of August.

The New York Times

"I don't tend to complain loudly, and maybe that made me an easy target to leave out of the squad [under Eriksson].

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Cook sent some of his men to Palm Island and 'they returned on board having met with nothing worth observing.' From the 1850s locals were recruitment targets to leave the island to be involved with bêche-de-mer and pearling enterprises with Europeans and Japanese.

Wikipedia

When members of the Moms' group gathered outside a San Antonio-area Target days after that, they were asked by a Target employee to leave.

Huffington Post

"Each time the target went to leave the office, they watched as he chose his new hat and put it on, only to find that it sat way up high or almost fell over his ears.

The New York Times

Follow Mack on Twitter.

Vice

It was also revealed that the Lismore-based pseudo healer "swindles cancer patients" and "exploits cancer patients by targeting them to leave him bequests": in one case influencing a woman named Judith McIntyre a follower who died of breast cancer in 2014 into giving him $1.4 million.

Vice

This function is executed when the target is about to leave the FOV.   4.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea said on Thursday that thousands Eritreans were fleeing their country every month, despite a "shoot-to-kill policy" targeting those attempting to leave.

BBC

For once, Thurston was off target with the conversion, to leave England two points adrift.

The Guardian - Sport

If the rockets begin to hit Israeli towns as before, the only other choice that civilians in the target areas have is to leave, if they can.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "aim to leave", "intend to leave", or "plan to leave" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "target" as a verb in contexts where it doesn't fit. "Target" typically describes aiming at something, not the act of leaving. Instead, clarify your intended meaning with more appropriate verbs like "aim", "intend", or "plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "target to leave" is intended to express an aim or intention, but it functions poorly due to its non-standard grammatical construction. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrasing is not considered correct in standard English. The examples show attempts to convey a goal related to departure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "target to leave" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates this is not the correct way to formulate the sentence. Although it appears in various sources, including news and media, its usage is infrequent and potentially confusing. For clearer and more effective communication, alternatives like "aim to leave", "intend to leave", or "plan to leave" are recommended. Using these alternatives ensures that your intended meaning—a planned or intended departure—is conveyed accurately and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to leave

Replaces "target" with the more common verb "aim", providing a clearer expression of intention.

intend to leave

Substitutes "target" with "intend", offering a more formal and direct statement of purpose.

plan to leave

Uses "plan" instead of "target" to emphasize the preparatory aspect of departing.

objective is to leave

Restructures the sentence to highlight the departure as a specific objective.

goal is to leave

Similar to "objective", but uses "goal" for a slightly less formal tone.

departure target

Inverts the structure to emphasize "departure" as the subject with "target" as descriptive.

leaving is the target

Similar to departure target, but rephrases it making 'leaving' the first part of the sentence.

scheduled departure

This phrase focuses on the scheduling aspect of leaving, framing the departure as something planned.

designated to leave

Suggests an assignment or instruction to leave, rather than a personal goal.

bound to leave

Implies a certainty or obligation to depart, shifting the focus from intention to inevitability.

FAQs

What does "target to leave" mean?

The phrase "target to leave" is not standard English. It likely intends to convey an aim or plan to depart, but it's grammatically awkward and unclear. Consider using phrases like "aim to leave" or "plan to leave" instead.

What can I say instead of "target to leave"?

You can use alternatives like "intend to leave", "objective is to leave", or "goal is to leave" depending on the context.

Is "target to leave" grammatically correct?

No, "target to leave" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "aim to leave" or "plan to leave" to express the intention of departing.

How can I use the word "target" correctly when discussing leaving?

You can use "target" correctly by saying "departure target" to indicate a goal for leaving. Or use it as a verb with another meaning, for example "Homeland Security said it was specifically targeting adults and children ordered to leave the US by an immigration judge."