depart, depart for, depart from

Depart for means to start a journey towards a particular destination.

  • The bus departing for Toronto is about to close its doors.

Depart from means to leave a place or to stray from something.

  • Passengers flying to Moose Jaw will depart from Gate 6.
  • Please do not depart from the script.

The preposition from is usually dropped when the meaning is “to die.”

  • We pray for those who have departed this life.

However, using depart without the preposition from when the meaning is “to leave a place” can lead to confusion or unintentional humour.

  • Ambiguous: Three professors have departed during his term as department head.
  • Clear: Three professors have departed from (or left) the university during his term as department head.

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