Cool MateDepart vs Exit vs Leave vs Take off
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
Take off
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Depart | Exit | Leave | Take off | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈpɑːt//🇺🇸 //dɪˈpɑrt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ɔːf//🇺🇸 //teɪk ɔf// |
| Meaning | To leave a place | the way out of a place | to go away from a place | To remove something or to leave the ground. |
| 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. | Please take off your shoes before entering the house. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 | take off clothes, take off shoes, take off time, take off flight, take off quickly |
| 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. | Confused with 'take out', which means to remove something from a place., Not distinguishing between literal (plane taking off) and figurative (hurry away) meanings., Using 'take off' without an object when it requires one. |
| 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. | Use 'take off' in both casual and formal situations. For clothes, it’s more informal. For airplanes, it's neutral. |
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Frequently asked questions: Depart vs Exit vs Leave vs Take off
What's the difference between Depart, Exit, Leave, and Take off?
Depart: To leave a place Exit: the way out of a place Leave: to go away from a place Take off: To remove something or to leave the ground.
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. Take off: Please take off your shoes before entering the house.
Can I use Depart, Exit, Leave, and Take off interchangeably?
Not always. Depart, Exit, Leave, and Take off 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.