Cool MateDepart vs Exit vs Leave
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Depart
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Exit
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Leave
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Depart | Exit | Leave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈpɑːt//🇺🇸 //dɪˈpɑrt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To leave a place | the way out of a place | to go away from a place |
| Example | The train will depart from platform 5 at 3 PM. | Please locate the nearest exit in case of an emergency. | I will leave the house at 8 AM. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | verb |
| Collocations | depart from the norm, depart for a destination, depart on schedule | back, rear, side, head for, make for, bolt for, sign, door, gate, to the exit, towards/toward the exit, exit from, freeway, highway, interstate, get off at, take, ramp, point, exit for, exit to, fast, hasty, quick, make, visa, poll, plan, exit from | decide to, intend to, plan to, for, decide to, intend to, plan to, for, decide to, intend to, plan to, for |
| Antonyms | arrive, stay, remain | entrance, entry | arrive, stay |
| Common mistakes | Using 'depart' with 'from' instead of just the destination, Confusing it with 'leave', Not using it in the correct tense | Confused with 'exceed' or 'exile', Using 'exiting' incorrectly as a gerund when an action is not intended, Misplacing 'exit' in sentences, leading to awkward phrasing | Confused with 'leave' as in 'not taking something' vs 'leave' meaning to depart., Using 'leave' without an object when the sentence requires one, e.g., 'leave the party.', Mixing up 'leave' with 'let' in phrases. |
| Usage notes | Use 'depart' in formal contexts or travel-related discussions. Less common in casual dialogue. | Use 'exit' when talking about leaving a place, especially in directions or instructions. Avoid in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'leave' might fit better. | Use 'leave' when departing from a location or letting go of something. Avoid in very formal writing where terms like 'depart' might be preferred. |
Frequently asked questions: Depart vs Exit vs Leave
What's the difference between Depart, Exit, and Leave?
Depart: To leave a place Exit: the way out of a place Leave: to go away from a place
Are Depart, Exit, and Leave the same CEFR level?
Depart: B2, Exit: B2, Leave: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Depart, Exit, and Leave?
Depart: verb, Exit: noun, Leave: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Depart: The train will depart from platform 5 at 3 PM. Exit: Please locate the nearest exit in case of an emergency. Leave: I will leave the house at 8 AM.
Can I use Depart, Exit, and Leave interchangeably?
Not always. Depart, Exit, and Leave are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.