leave
leaves
leaving
left
Leave means to go away or let remain. Irregular: leave-left-left.
Meanings
- To go away
- To let remain
- To abandon
- To bequeath
Common Collocations
leave behind
leave out
leave alone
leave it to
take it or leave it
Tip for Learners
Irregular: leave-left-left. Leave out = exclude. Leave alone = don't disturb. Leave (noun) = permission to be absent.
Present Simple
| I | leave |
| you | leave |
| he/she/it | leaves |
| we | leave |
| they | leave |
Examples - Present Simple
- I leave for work at seven o'clock every morning.
- You leave a lasting impression on everyone you meet.
- She leaves her keys on the kitchen counter always.
- We leave the decision up to the committee.
- They leave nothing to chance in their planning.
Present Continuous
| I | am leaving |
| you | are leaving |
| he/she/it | is leaving |
| we | are leaving |
| they | are leaving |
Examples - Present Continuous
- I am leaving for the airport in an hour.
- You are leaving too much work for tomorrow.
- He is leaving the company after fifteen years.
- We are leaving early to avoid the traffic.
- They are leaving the country for good next month.
Present Perfect
| I | have left |
| you | have left |
| he/she/it | has left |
| we | have left |
| they | have left |
Examples - Present Perfect
- I have left my passport at home accidentally.
- You have left a deep impact on my life.
- She has left everything behind to start fresh.
- We have left the details for later discussion.
- They have left no stone unturned in the search.
Present Perfect Continuous
| I | have been leaving |
| you | have been leaving |
| he/she/it | has been leaving |
| we | have been leaving |
| they | have been leaving |
Examples - Present Perfect Continuous
- I have been leaving messages all morning.
- You have been leaving hints about the surprise.
- He has been leaving work early all week.
- We have been leaving notes for each other.
- They have been leaving breadcrumbs for us to follow.
Past Simple
| I | left |
| you | left |
| he/she/it | left |
| we | left |
| they | left |
Examples - Past Simple
- I left the party early last night.
- You left your umbrella in the restaurant.
- She left her hometown to pursue her dreams.
- We left before the storm arrived.
- They left without saying goodbye to anyone.
Past Continuous
| I | was leaving |
| you | were leaving |
| he/she/it | was leaving |
| we | were leaving |
| they | were leaving |
Examples - Past Continuous
- I was leaving the house when you called me.
- You were leaving for vacation when the news broke.
- He was leaving work when the accident occurred.
- We were leaving the party when they arrived.
- They were leaving the country when borders closed.
Past Perfect
| I | had left |
| you | had left |
| he/she/it | had left |
| we | had left |
| they | had left |
Examples - Past Perfect
- I had left before the argument started.
- You had left your wallet at home again.
- She had left the company before the scandal.
- We had left the meeting before the decision.
- They had left the city before the hurricane hit.
Past Perfect Continuous
| I | had been leaving |
| you | had been leaving |
| he/she/it | had been leaving |
| we | had been leaving |
| they | had been leaving |
Examples - Past Perfect Continuous
- I had been leaving messages for days before she responded.
- You had been leaving hints for weeks before I noticed.
- He had been leaving work early for months.
- We had been leaving notes before switching to email.
- They had been leaving clues for the investigation.
Future Simple
| I | will leave |
| you | will leave |
| he/she/it | will leave |
| we | will leave |
| they | will leave |
Examples - Future Simple
- I will leave at noon to catch my flight.
- You will leave a legacy that inspires others.
- She will leave everything to her children.
- We will leave this matter for future discussion.
- They will leave nothing behind when they go.
Future Continuous
| I | will be leaving |
| you | will be leaving |
| he/she/it | will be leaving |
| we | will be leaving |
| they | will be leaving |
Examples - Future Continuous
- I will be leaving shortly after the presentation.
- You will be leaving a mark on this organization.
- He will be leaving the position next month.
- We will be leaving at first light tomorrow.
- They will be leaving the country by this time next week.
Future Perfect
| I | will have left |
| you | will have left |
| he/she/it | will have left |
| we | will have left |
| they | will have left |
Examples - Future Perfect
- I will have left by the time you arrive.
- You will have left your mark on the project.
- She will have left the company by December.
- We will have left our differences behind.
- They will have left the country by then.
Future Perfect Continuous
| I | will have been leaving |
| you | will have been leaving |
| he/she/it | will have been leaving |
| we | will have been leaving |
| they | will have been leaving |
Examples - Future Perfect Continuous
- I will have been leaving messages for a week.
- You will have been leaving hints for months.
- He will have been leaving the office early for years.
- We will have been leaving notes for each other forever.
- They will have been leaving clues throughout.