Leaving To or Leaving For?

by Mubashir
(Lahore)

Hi,

What's the difference between "leaving to" and "leaving for"?

Should I say:
"I am leaving for Pakistan?"

or

"I am leaving to Pakistan?"

Thanks.

Comments for Leaving To or Leaving For?

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 21, 2014
 Thank you Chelsey
by: Anonymous

I was quite confused while using "for" or "to" with "leaving". Now the mystery is resolved... Faith in English has been restored.
Nov 30, 2013
 :)
by: Aishu

Chelsey, you are great. Thank you for giving us so much information. Currently, I'm preparing for my IELTS exam, so I was browsing to improve my English. Your tips are really useful.
Thank you so much :) :)
Nov 28, 2013
 Excellent explanation.
by: Mahadeva

Thank you. Your explanation is very useful.
Dec 31, 2012
 Answer
by: Chelsey

"I am leaving for Pakistan" is correct.

FOR is a preposition with a few definitions.

One definition of for is to indicate, or show, a future goal.

"I am leaving for Pakistan" means that you are leaving your present place, and your future goal is to arrive in Pakistan.

TO is also a preposition, but it shows movement toward a place.

So, you would not say, "I am leaving to Pakistan," because "leaving" does not indicate movement toward a new place.

You could say:
1. "I am traveling to Pakistan."
2. "I am driving to Pakistan."
3. "I am flying to Pakistan."
4. "I am going to Pakistan."

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Questions and Answers about English.

image placeholder Lorem ipsum

image placeholder Tempor incididunt