In English, "leave" and "go away" both relate to departing, but they have different nuances and are used in different contexts.
Leave
Used to indicate the act of departing from a place, event, or situation.*
- Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Often requires an object or a preposition (e.g., leave the room, leave for work).
- Neutral tone; simply states that someone is departing.
Go away
Used to tell someone to leave a place, often because they are unwanted or disturbing.*
- Usually informal and can be direct or even rude.
- Implies that the person should not return or linger.
- Common in commands or expressions of annoyance.
Key Differences
| Leave | Go away |
|---|---|
| Focuses on the act of departing | Focuses on telling someone to depart |
| Can be neutral or even polite | Often carries a tone of irritation or rejection |
| Used with specific places or times (leave now, leave the office) | Used to push someone out or stop their presence (go away!) |
| Example: I have to leave at 5 pm. | Example: Go away! I don’t want to talk. |
Usage Tips
- Use leave when talking about your own departure or someone’s planned exit.
- Use go away when telling someone to leave, especially if you want to be firm or express annoyance.
- Be cautious with go away in polite conversation; it can sound harsh.
Examples
Leave
- I have to leave early today.
- She left the party around midnight.
- Don’t forget to leave a message.
Go away
- Go away! I’m busy.
- The dog will stop barking if you tell it to go away.
- You should go away before it gets dangerous.
Summary
“Leave” is a neutral, versatile verb for departing, while “go away” is a more forceful phrase used to tell someone to leave, often with a negative or annoyed tone.
Which phrase is typically used to tell someone to leave, often with a negative tone?
go away
'Go away' is used to tell someone to leave, usually with irritation or rejection.
When telling someone to depart immediately, especially in an annoyed tone, which phrase is appropriate?
go away
'Go away' is used to command someone to leave, often conveying annoyance.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
