While both "depart" and "leave" suggest going away from a place, there's a subtle yet important difference between them. "Depart" generally implies a more formal or planned departure, often involving a journey. It suggests a more definite end to one's stay. "Leave," on the other hand, is a more general term and can be used in various contexts, including casual departures or simply ceasing to be in a place.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Depart:

  • "The train will depart at 7 pm." (The train will leave the station at 7 pm.)
  • "We will depart for Paris tomorrow." (We will leave for Paris tomorrow.)
  • "The plane departed from London Heathrow." (The plane left London Heathrow.)

• Leave:

  • "I'll leave the office at 5 pm." (I will go from the office at 5 pm.)
  • "Don't leave your bags unattended." (Don't let your bags be alone.)
  • "I leave home every morning at 7 am." (I go from home every morning at 7 am.)

Notice how "depart" is often used with vehicles like trains or planes, and implies a scheduled journey, while "leave" can be used in much more casual and everyday situations. "Depart" sounds more sophisticated and formal than "leave."

Happy learning!