"They leave work at 7pm."

Question

Why quitter is correct answer, but not sortir ?I found an example in the lesson where sortir is used to describe a personne leaving work at 19h

Accepted Answer

Hi Phuc, 
Just to add to what has already been said -
The possibility that was given using 'sortir' was  'sortent leur travail' which is wrong but if 'sortent de leur travail' had been given then, 'sortir'  would have been accepted.
So the only correct answer is -
quittent (as le travail is often omitted but implied)
or 
quittent leur travail
Bonne Continuation !

Answer

Bonjour Phuc,From the lesson:-"Grammar Jargon:   partir is an intransitive verb, whereas quitter and laisser are always transitive verbs (i.e. have a direct object) and sortir can be either."When sortir is employed with respect to leaving work, to use your example; you will notice that a preposition (at in your example) is employed so one is leaving (at a certain time ) from somewhere (intransitive useage).Quitter does not require a preposition because you simply "quit" that location -- in other words the verb is used transitively with a direct object.I hope that this helps to explain for you.Bonne journéeJim

Answer

Sortir is wrong here because, when used with a direct object ( le travail ), it means "to take something out:"  Je sors la poubelle. -- I take out the trash.You could say, Je sors du travail à 7 heures. -- I'm leaving work at 7. But note, that this requires the preposition de and turns travail into an indirect object.