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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