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A1 verb #22 más común 6 min de lectura

to leave

Top 22

At the A1 level, 'to leave' is used for very simple actions. It mostly means going away from a place like home, school, or work. You use it to talk about your daily routine, like 'I leave home at 8 AM.' It is also used for simple objects, like 'Leave the book on the table.' At this stage, learners should focus on the present tense 'leave' and the basic past tense 'left.' The concept is always physical and immediate. You are either moving your body away from a place or putting an object down and walking away from it. It is one of the first verbs learned to describe movement and location.

At the A2 level, 'to leave' expands to include leaving messages and more complex daily interactions. You might say 'I left a message for you' or 'Don't leave your bag there.' Learners begin to use 'leave for' to describe travel destinations, such as 'We are leaving for our holiday tomorrow.' There is also a beginning understanding of 'leave' meaning to let something stay in a certain state, like 'Leave the door open.' The irregular past tense 'left' becomes more natural in storytelling and describing past events. You also start to see it in common phrases like 'leave someone alone.'

At the B1 level, 'to leave' starts to be used for more abstract concepts like relationships and jobs. 'She decided to leave her boyfriend' or 'He is leaving his job next month.' Learners use it to express results or consequences, such as 'The rain left the ground wet.' Phrasal verbs like 'leave out' (to exclude) or 'leave behind' (to forget or move past) are introduced. The distinction between 'leave' and 'forget' is more clearly understood and applied. You might also use 'leave' in the context of giving permission or responsibility, like 'I'll leave that to you.'

At the B2 level, 'to leave' is used in more sophisticated grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions. You might use it in the passive voice to describe historical or social impacts: 'Many people were left homeless after the flood.' It appears in more complex phrasal verbs like 'leave off' or 'leave over.' The word is used to describe bequeathing items in a will ('He left his fortune to charity'). Learners can handle the nuance of 'leave' in professional and formal contexts, such as 'taking a leave of absence' or 'leaving no stone unturned.'

At the C1 level, 'to leave' is used with high precision and stylistic variety. It appears in literary and academic contexts to describe profound changes or states. For example, 'The author leaves the ending open to interpretation.' It is used in complex idioms like 'leave much to be desired' or 'leave someone to their own devices.' The speaker understands the subtle differences between 'leave,' 'relinquish,' 'abandon,' and 'cede.' The word is used to discuss legacies, philosophical departures, and complex social dynamics with ease and accuracy.

At the C2 level, 'to leave' is used with complete mastery, including its most obscure and nuanced meanings. This includes legal terminology, highly idiomatic speech, and poetic usage. A C2 learner might use 'leave' to describe the residue of an experience: 'The war left an indelible mark on the national psyche.' They can use it in rhetorical structures to emphasize a point. The word is used seamlessly in all registers, from the most casual slang to the most formal legal documents, showing a deep understanding of its historical and linguistic evolution.

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

to leave en 30 segundos

To depart from a place or person.
To allow something to remain behind.
To cause a specific state or condition.
To quit a job or relationship.

The verb to leave is one of the most fundamental and versatile words in the English language, primarily functioning to describe the act of departing from a specific location, person, or state. At its core, it signifies a movement away from a point of origin. However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical displacement. In everyday conversation, we use 'leave' to indicate the conclusion of an event, the abandonment of an object, or the resignation from a professional role. For instance, when you 'leave home,' you are physically moving from your residence to another place. When you 'leave a job,' you are terminating your employment. The word also carries a sense of 'allowing to remain,' such as when you 'leave the door open' or 'leave your keys on the table.' This duality—both departing and remaining—makes it a cornerstone of English communication.

Physical Departure: The most common use involves moving away from a place. It often requires a destination (leave for London) or a point of origin (leave the office).
Abandonment or Forgetting: It describes accidentally or intentionally allowing something to stay behind. 'I left my umbrella on the bus' implies a mistake, while 'I left the book for you' implies intention.
State of Being: Used to describe the condition something is kept in. 'Leave the light on' or 'The news left him speechless' shows how the word governs the resulting state of an object or person.

Understanding 'leave' requires recognizing its irregular forms: leave (present), left (past), and left (past participle). It is distinct from 'go' because 'leave' emphasizes the starting point, whereas 'go' focuses on the movement itself. In social contexts, 'leaving' can be sensitive; 'taking one's leave' is a formal way to say goodbye, whereas 'leaving someone in the lurch' implies a negative abandonment.

She had to leave the party early to catch the last train home.

Please leave a message after the beep.

Don't leave your dirty dishes in the sink.

The accident left him with a permanent scar.

I will leave the decision up to you.

Formal Resignation: In professional settings, 'leaving' refers to the end of a tenure. 'He is leaving the company after ten years of service.'

Using 'to leave' correctly requires attention to its object and prepositional companions. When expressing departure from a place, you can say 'I leave the house' (direct object) or 'I leave from the station' (prepositional). However, 'leave for' is crucial when the focus is the destination: 'She is leaving for Tokyo.' This distinguishes it from 'going to,' as 'leaving for' emphasizes the act of departure. Another common structure is 'leave + object + adjective/participle,' which describes the state in which something is left. For example, 'Leave the door unlocked' or 'The movie left me feeling sad.' This causative use is vital for describing impacts and results. In the past tense, 'left' is used for all persons: 'I left,' 'You left,' 'They left.' It is also used in the passive voice: 'The cake was left on the counter.'

Leave vs. Forget: Use 'leave' when you mention the place: 'I left my phone at home.' Use 'forget' when you don't mention the place: 'I forgot my phone.'
Leave + Infinitive: Sometimes used to indicate purpose: 'He left to find a better life.' This shows the motivation behind the departure.

We should leave at six in the morning to avoid traffic.

Can you leave the window open just a crack?

He left his wife a large inheritance in his will.

In daily life, 'leave' is ubiquitous. You'll hear it at train stations ('The train for London is about to leave'), in offices ('I'm leaving for the day'), and at home ('Don't leave the milk out'). It is a high-frequency word in media, often used in news reports about people leaving political office or celebrities leaving relationships. In movies, a dramatic 'Leave me alone!' is a common trope. In technology, we 'leave' websites or 'leave' comments. The word is deeply embedded in social etiquette; knowing when to 'leave' a social gathering is a key cultural skill. In literature, 'leaving' often symbolizes a rite of passage or the start of a journey. Whether it's a physical exit or a metaphorical transition, 'leave' provides the linguistic framework for change.

Public Announcements: 'Please leave the building by the nearest exit.' This is standard in emergency drills and public safety instructions.

The flight is scheduled to leave at noon.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing 'leave' with 'forget'. As mentioned, 'leave' requires a location. You cannot say 'I left my homework'; you must say 'I left my homework at home' or 'I forgot my homework.' Another mistake is the misuse of 'leave' vs. 'go'. While 'go' is general, 'leave' specifically implies departing from somewhere. Using 'leave' when you mean 'let' is also common in certain dialects but technically incorrect in standard English (e.g., 'Leave me do it' should be 'Let me do it'). Additionally, learners often struggle with the irregular past tense 'left,' sometimes incorrectly applying '-ed' to make 'leaved' (which is only a word in botany, referring to leaves on a plant). Finally, the preposition 'for' is often omitted when it is necessary to indicate a destination.

Incorrect Preposition: 'I am leaving to London' is incorrect. It should be 'I am leaving for London' or 'I am going to London.'

Correct: I left my bag at the station. Incorrect: I forgot my bag at the station.

While 'leave' is the most common term, several synonyms offer more precision depending on the context. 'Depart' is more formal and often used in travel contexts. 'Quit' is used for jobs or habits. 'Abandon' implies leaving something permanently or in a time of need. 'Exit' is specific to leaving a building or a stage. 'Vacate' is used for rooms or properties. 'Flee' implies leaving quickly due to danger. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the right word for the right register.

Leave vs. Depart: 'Leave' is everyday language; 'Depart' is used on timetables and in formal writing.
Leave vs. Abandon: 'Leave' can be temporary; 'Abandon' is usually permanent and often carries a negative emotional weight.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"We request that you leave the premises immediately."

Neutral

"I'm leaving for the airport now."

Informal

"I'm gonna head out (leave) now."

Child friendly

"Don't leave your toys on the floor!"

Jerga

"Let's bounce (leave)."

Dato curioso

The word 'leave' originally meant 'to let remain' rather than 'to go away'. Over time, the focus shifted from what stays behind to the act of the person going away.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /liːv/

US /liv/

Single syllable word; no complex stress pattern.

Rima con

believe achieve sleeve weave receive deceive grieve heave

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like 'live' (short i).
Forgetting to voice the 'v' at the end, making it sound like 'leaf'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very common word, easy to recognize.

Escritura 2/5

Irregular past tense 'left' can be tricky for beginners.

Expresión oral 2/5

Distinguishing from 'live' and 'leaf' is important.

Escucha 1/5

Clear sound, usually easy to hear in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

go come stay home work

Aprende después

depart arrive forget abandon remain

Avanzado

relinquish bequeath vacate abscond forsake

Gramática que debes saber

Irregular Past Tense

The past of 'leave' is 'left', not 'leaved'.

Transitive vs Intransitive

'I leave' (intransitive) vs 'I leave the room' (transitive).

Leave + Object + Adjective

'Leave the window open' (not 'openly').

Leave vs Forget

'I left my keys at home' (place mentioned) vs 'I forgot my keys' (no place).

Leave for + Destination

'I am leaving for New York' (destination).

Ejemplos por nivel

I leave home at seven.

I go away from my house at 7:00.

Present simple for routine.

Please leave the keys here.

Put the keys on the table and go.

Imperative form.

They leave school at three.

They go away from school at 3:00.

Third person plural present.

Don't leave your coat.

Don't forget to take your coat.

Negative imperative.

I left my bag on the bus.

I forgot my bag on the bus.

Past simple 'left'.

We leave for London today.

We are going to London today.

'Leave for' indicates destination.

He leaves the office late.

He goes away from work late.

Third person singular 'leaves'.

Leave the door open, please.

Do not close the door.

Leave + object + adjective.

Can I leave a message?

Can I give you information for someone else?

Modal 'can' for request.

She left her phone at home.

She did not bring her phone.

Past simple showing location.

Don't leave the milk out.

Put the milk in the fridge.

Negative imperative for instructions.

He left the party early.

He went away from the party before it finished.

Past simple.

I'm leaving now, see you!

I am going away at this moment.

Present continuous for immediate future.

They left a tip for the waiter.

They gave extra money for service.

'Left' meaning 'to provide/give'.

Leave me alone!

Go away from me.

Common imperative phrase.

We left the car in the garage.

The car is in the garage.

Past simple.

She decided to leave her job.

She quit her work.

Infinitive after 'decided'.

The storm left the streets flooded.

The streets were wet because of the storm.

Leave + object + adjective (result).

Don't leave me out of the plan.

Include me in the plan.

Phrasal verb 'leave out'.

He left his family a lot of money.

He gave money to his family in his will.

Ditransitive use (two objects).

I'll leave the choice to you.

You can decide.

Future 'will' for offers.

We left the dog with a neighbor.

The neighbor is looking after the dog.

'Leave with' for caretaking.

It's time to leave the past behind.

Stop thinking about the past.

Metaphorical use.

The wound left a small scar.

A scar remained after the wound healed.

'Left' indicating a permanent result.

The company was left in a difficult position.

The company was in a bad state.

Passive voice.

He left nothing to chance.

He planned everything carefully.

Idiomatic expression.

She was granted a leave of absence.

She got permission to be away from work.

Noun use of 'leave'.

The news left us all in shock.

We were shocked by the news.

Leave + object + prepositional phrase.

Don't leave your bike unlocked.

Lock your bike.

Leave + object + adjective.

He left off where he had finished yesterday.

He started at the same point.

Phrasal verb 'leave off'.

The chef left out the salt by mistake.

The chef did not put salt in.

Phrasal verb 'leave out' (omission).

I'll leave you to get on with your work.

I will go so you can work.

Polite social formula.

The decision leaves much to be desired.

The decision is not very good.

Idiomatic expression.

He left his mark on the industry.

He had a big influence.

Metaphorical 'mark'.

The children were left to their own devices.

The children were allowed to do what they wanted.

Idiomatic expression.

She left no stone unturned in her search.

She looked everywhere.

Idiomatic expression.

The treaty left several issues unresolved.

Some problems were not fixed.

Formal/Academic context.

He took his leave after the formal dinner.

He said goodbye and left.

Formal noun phrase.

The experience left an indelible impression.

The experience was unforgettable.

Collocation 'indelible impression'.

The legacy left by the revolution is complex.

The results of the revolution are hard to understand.

Past participle as adjective.

The sudden departure left a void in the community.

People felt a great loss.

Abstract noun 'void'.

He left the estate to be divided among his heirs.

He willed his property to his children.

Legal/Formal context.

The ambiguity of the poem leaves it open to many readings.

The poem can be understood in different ways.

Literary analysis.

She left the world of finance for a life of service.

She changed her career completely.

Metaphorical 'world'.

The scandal left his reputation in tatters.

His reputation was destroyed.

Idiomatic 'in tatters'.

He left the meeting with a heavy heart.

He was very sad when he left.

Idiomatic 'heavy heart'.

The glacier's retreat left behind a scarred landscape.

The melting ice changed the land.

Scientific/Geological context.

The artist left the canvas blank, a statement on minimalism.

The artist chose not to paint.

Intentional omission.

Colocaciones comunes

leave home

leave a message

leave a tip

leave school

leave for work

leave a mark

leave a legacy

leave someone alone

leave it to me

leave a void

Frases Comunes

leave out

leave behind

leave off

leave over

leave for

leave word

leave a bad taste

leave open

leave room

leave it at that

Se confunde a menudo con

to leave vs live

'Live' has a short 'i' sound; 'leave' has a long 'ee' sound.

to leave vs leaf

'Leaf' ends in an 'f' sound; 'leave' ends in a 'v' sound.

to leave vs let

'Let' means to allow; 'leave' means to depart or allow to remain.

Modismos y expresiones

"leave no stone unturned"

To try every possible way to find something or solve a problem.

The police left no stone unturned in their investigation.

neutral

"leave someone in the lurch"

To leave someone at a time when they need help.

He left his team in the lurch by quitting right before the deadline.

informal

"leave much to be desired"

To be very unsatisfactory or not good enough.

The quality of the service leaves much to be desired.

formal

"leave someone to their own devices"

To allow someone to do what they want without help or control.

The students were left to their own devices in the lab.

neutral

"take it or leave it"

Used to say that you will not change your offer.

That is my final price; take it or leave it.

informal

"leave someone high and dry"

To leave someone in a difficult situation without any help.

The cancellation of the bus left us high and dry.

informal

"leave a lot to the imagination"

To not show or describe everything clearly.

The minimalist costume didn't leave much to the imagination.

neutral

"leave the door open"

To allow for the possibility of something happening in the future.

They left the door open for further negotiations.

neutral

"leave well alone"

To not try to change or improve something because you might make it worse.

The machine is working fine, so I'd leave well alone.

neutral

"leave someone cold"

To fail to interest or excite someone.

Modern art usually leaves me cold.

informal

Fácil de confundir

to leave vs forget

Both involve not having something with you.

'Leave' requires a location (I left it at home). 'Forget' does not (I forgot it).

I left my wallet on the table. I forgot my wallet.

to leave vs go

Both involve movement.

'Go' is general movement. 'Leave' focuses on the starting point.

I go to the park. I leave the house.

to leave vs depart

Synonyms.

'Depart' is formal and used for schedules. 'Leave' is for everyday use.

The train departs at 5:00. I leave at 5:00.

to leave vs abandon

Both mean to go away from.

'Abandon' implies leaving forever or in trouble. 'Leave' is neutral.

He abandoned his car in the desert. He left his car in the garage.

to leave vs quit

Both mean to stop being somewhere.

'Quit' is specifically for jobs or habits. 'Leave' is more general.

I quit my job. I leave the office at 5:00.

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + leave + place

I leave school.

Subject + leave + object + place

I left my book at home.

Subject + leave + for + destination

We leave for Rome.

Subject + leave + object + adjective

Leave the door open.

Subject + leave + object + to + person

I'll leave the choice to you.

Subject + leave + out + object

Don't leave me out.

Subject + be + left + adjective

They were left homeless.

Subject + leave + much to be desired

His work leaves much to be desired.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high; top 200 words in English.

Errores comunes

I leaved the room. → I left the room.
'Leave' is an irregular verb. The past tense is 'left'.
I forgot my keys at home. → I left my keys at home.
When the location is mentioned, 'leave' is the correct verb.
I am leaving to London. → I am leaving for London.
The preposition 'for' is used to indicate the destination with 'leave'.
Leave me do it. → Let me do it.
'Let' is used for permission or assistance; 'leave' is for departing or remaining.
The train leaves from 5:00. → The train leaves at 5:00.
Use 'at' for specific times.

Consejos

The 'Left' Rule

Always use 'left' for the past. 'I left my keys' is correct. 'I leaved my keys' is never correct.

Leave vs. Forget

If you say the place, use 'leave'. If you don't say the place, use 'forget'.

Long Vowel

Stretch the 'ee' sound in 'leave' so it doesn't sound like 'live'.

Polite Leaving

In formal situations, use 'Excuse me, I must be leaving' to be polite.

Resultative Leave

Use 'leave' to show results: 'The rain left the garden beautiful.'

Leave it be

'Leave it be' means 'don't touch it' or 'don't change it'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'left', check if the person is talking about a direction or something they did in the past.

Leave for

Use 'leave for' when you are excited about your destination.

Leave vs Let

Don't say 'Leave me go'. Say 'Let me go'.

Legacy

Use 'leave' when talking about the impact someone has on the world.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

'Leave' ends with 'E', just like 'Exit'. When you Leave, you use the Exit.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person walking through a door (Exit) and leaving their keys (Left behind) on a table.

Word Web

Departure Abandon Forget Remain Resign Exit Stay Go

Desafío

Try to use 'leave' in three different ways today: for a place, for an object, and for a state (e.g., 'leave the light on').

Origen de la palabra

From Old English 'læfan', meaning to let remain, allow to stay, or bequeath.

Significado original: To remain or stay behind.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'leave' in the context of death (e.g., 'he left us' is a euphemism for dying).

Giving notice before leaving a job is a standard professional expectation.

'Leave It to Beaver' (TV Show) 'Don't Leave Me This Way' (Song) 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' (Song)

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Travel

What time does the train leave?
I'm leaving for vacation.
Leave from platform 2.

Home

Leave the keys on the table.
Don't leave the door open.
I left my phone in the car.

Work

He's leaving the company.
Can I leave early today?
Leave it on my desk.

Social

I have to leave now.
Don't leave me alone.
We left a tip.

Relationships

She left him last year.
I'll never leave you.
They left on good terms.

Inicios de conversación

"What time do you usually leave for work in the morning?"

"Have you ever left something important on a bus or train?"

"If you had to leave your country, where would you go?"

"Do you prefer to leave a party early or stay until the end?"

"What is something you always leave until the last minute?"

Temas para diario

Describe a time you left home for a long journey.

Write about a job or a school you were sad to leave.

What are three things you never leave the house without?

How do you feel when you have to leave a place you love?

Write about a person who left a lasting impression on you.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In standard English, 'leaved' is only used in botany (e.g., 'a broad-leaved plant'). The past tense of the verb 'to leave' is always 'left'.

'Leave' focuses on the place you are exiting (I leave the house). 'Leave for' focuses on your destination (I leave for work).

Yes, especially in a will. 'He left his house to his son' means he gave it to him after he died.

It usually means permission to be away from work, like 'sick leave' or 'maternity leave'.

It means 'I will take care of it' or 'I will do it'.

It is irregular. The forms are leave, left, left.

Technically, you should say 'I left my homework at home' or 'I forgot my homework.' 'Leave' usually needs a location.

It means to exclude or not include something or someone.

It is an old-fashioned idiom for leaving a social event without saying goodbye to the host.

No, 'left' can be a verb (past of leave), an adjective (remaining), or a noun/adjective (the direction).