A comprehensive explanation of the difference between "leave" and "go away," including usage, meaning, and examples.
Understanding the difference between "leave" and "go away" is important for using them correctly in conversation. Both involve someone departing, but they are used in different contexts and have different connotations.
- Leave is a neutral verb that means to go away from a place, person, or situation.
- Go away is a phrasal verb that often implies a more forceful or unwelcome departure.
- "Leave" can be used in more formal and general situations, while "go away" is more informal and can sound more direct or even rude.
In what context is "go away" most commonly used?
When telling someone to leave, often because they are unwelcome.
"Go away" is most commonly used in informal speech when telling someone to leave, often because the speaker finds them unwelcome or annoying. The other contexts are more appropriate for the verb "leave."
"Leave" means to go away from a place, person, or situation. It can be used for physical departure, as well as for leaving tasks, feelings, or situations behind.
- Can be followed by a place, person, or object (e.g., leave the room, leave John, leave a message).
- Used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Can refer to leaving temporarily or permanently.
"Go away" means to depart from the speaker’s location or presence. It often implies that the speaker wants the other person to leave, sometimes because they are unwelcome or annoying.
- Usually used when someone is telling another person to leave.
- More common in informal speech.
- Can sound rude or abrupt depending on tone and context.
Here are some example situations to show when to use "leave" versus "go away":
- Leave: "I have to leave the office at 5 PM." (neutral statement about departure)
- Go away: "Go away! I’m busy." (telling someone to leave your presence)
- Leave: "She left her keys on the table." (means she didn’t take her keys when departing)
- Go away: "The noise is bothering me. I wish it would go away." (something unwanted departing, not a person)
- Leave: "He left without saying goodbye." (neutral recounting of departure)
- Go away: "Go away, I don’t want to talk right now." (direct command to leave)
Leave often appears with:
- leave + place (leave the room)
- leave + person (leave John)
- leave + object (leave a message)
- leave + situation (leave the meeting)
- leave + time expression (leave at 6 PM)
Go away is usually used as a standalone phrase or with modifiers:
- go away now
- go away for a while
- go away somewhere
- go away on vacation
- go away and leave me alone
| Aspect | Leave | Go Away |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To depart from a place, person, or situation | To depart from the speaker’s presence, often by command |
| Usage | Neutral; can be formal or informal | Informal; can be rude or forceful |
| Object | Can be followed by noun or place | Usually not followed by object |
| Examples | leave the room; leave John; leave a message | go away; go away now; go away and leave me alone |
Understanding these differences will help you choose the right phrase for your situation.
Which statement summarizes the difference between "leave" and "go away"?
"Leave" is neutral and can be formal; "go away" is informal and can be forceful.
The correct summary is that "leave" is a neutral verb suitable for many contexts, including formal ones, while "go away" is more informal and can be forceful or rude. The other statements are inaccurate.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
