to depart

USAGE SUMMARY

"to depart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone's departure or movement away from a place. For example: John decided to depart early from the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How do they arrange to depart?

The New York Times

He too is due to depart.

The Economist

Shuler is preparing to depart Washington.

The New York Times - Sports

The sisters decide to depart the house.

The New Yorker

Soon to depart: Fergus Shanahan.

The Guardian

If not, he ought to depart peacefully.

The New York Times

Mr. Rubin may choose to depart.

The New York Times

They are expected to depart on Saturday.

The Guardian

Mr. Gibbs said he expects to depart in mid-February.

The New York Times

| Under fire, Chesapeake Energy's co-founder is to depart.

The New York Times

In Brooklyn, the Queen Mary 2 was expected to depart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to depart" when you want to convey a sense of formality or intention in leaving a place or situation. It's often suitable for announcements or official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "to depart" in everyday conversation where more casual alternatives like "to leave" or "to head out" would be more appropriate. Using "to depart" too frequently can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to depart" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, indicating an action of leaving or going away. Ludwig showcases various examples where it signifies a planned or intended departure, often in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to depart" is a versatile infinitive phrase widely used to describe the act of leaving or setting out. As highlighted by Ludwig, it often appears in news and media contexts, lending a formal or official tone to announcements. While "to depart" is grammatically sound, remember to consider the context and audience when choosing between it and more casual alternatives like ""to leave"" or ""to head out"". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to leave

This alternative is more general and commonly used to indicate going away from a place or situation.

to exit

This implies a more formal or specific act of leaving a place or system.

to set off

This suggests the beginning of a journey or trip.

to head out

This phrase is more casual and suggests leaving a place to go somewhere else.

to withdraw

This implies removing oneself from a situation or commitment.

to diverge

This is used when moving away from a specific direction or plan.

to abscond

This suggests leaving suddenly and secretly, often to avoid detection.

to split

This is a casual term for leaving, often used when separating from a group.

to break away

This indicates a forceful or decisive separation from something.

to relinquish

This implies giving up or leaving behind something that was previously held.

FAQs

How do you use "to depart" in a sentence?

The phrase "to depart" is an infinitive form, often used to indicate leaving or setting out on a journey. For example, "The train is scheduled "to depart" at noon" or "They decided "to depart" early to avoid traffic".

What's the difference between "to depart" and "to leave"?

"To leave" is a more general term for going away from a place. "To depart" is often used in more formal contexts or to emphasize the act of setting out on a journey. While they can be interchangeable, "to depart" carries a slightly more official or ceremonial tone.

What can I say instead of "to depart"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to leave", "to set off", "to exit", or "to head out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "departed to" instead of "departed for"?

While "departed to" might be understood in some contexts, it's more grammatically correct and common to use "departed for" when indicating the destination. For example, "She departed for London" is preferable to "She departed to London".