4. Tell him what went wrong.
You guys didn’t work, but hopefully he can learn from his mistakes and succeed with someone new. And again, it removes the element of ambiguity. You’re leaving him because he never does anything for you, he doesn’t pull his weight, he’s inconsiderate of your feelings, he’s unsupportive of your career, he demeans you in public, etc.
Whatever the reasons, tell him what they are. This isn’t so you can be vindictive, but as I’ve said before, guys aren’t mind readers. He may not even be aware of his behavior. Now, this isn’t an excuse, but if he isn’t aware he should know. You might even ignite an epiphany. He might surprise you and want to change his ways.
Of course, if you catalog his shortcomings, be prepared to receive a list of yours. Don’t get angry or defensive, just listen. There may be some valid points in what he’s telling you.
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