abandon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abandon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of leaving something behind or giving up on it. Example: "After much consideration, she decided to abandon her plans for the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Woods is too big a name for his sponsors to simply abandon him, even though Gatorade has discontinued its Tiger line (for other reasons, it says).

The Economist

The decision to abandon the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act was privately welcomed by moderates within the party.

The Guardian

Last November the governor of Oregon, John Kitzhaber, put a moratorium on all executions and in April Connecticut became the fifth state in as many years to abandon capital punishment altogether.

The Guardian

This week's events have exposed the unresolved divisions in the party, and the determination in conservative ranks not to abandon an issue they believe is central to their cause.

The Guardian

The EU administrator interrupts: "But you can trust us, we won't abandon you.

The Guardian

Livingstone's bid to mobilise and lead the opposition to Johnson has to be taken seriously, but none of us should think that he's going to automatically abandon the struggle to claim that progressive majority and just fall back on his suburban doughnut.

The Guardian - Opinion

The county has followed its transport policy for half a decade, despite pressure from successive Environment secretaries to change or abandon it.

The Guardian

The cold snap has already brought treacherous conditions to roads, with motorists in Sheffield forced to abandon their cars after becoming snowed in on Friday night.

The Guardian - Business

This is not a hardened star trotting out rote replies but a person speaking with feeling and abandon.

The Guardian - Film

As a result, it discovered that Norway had to abandon an employment tax-deduction system that had worked well for sparsely populated areas in the north, resulting in negative effects on businesses which suddenly found themselves with much higher costs.

The Guardian

6ba2600b-fa70-4c4e-a527-de911d4292c4 On the final day of this year's Cannes film festival, Timothy Spall had to abandon his holiday in the Netherlands to collect the best actor award.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abandon", consider the context to choose a synonym that accurately reflects the reason for leaving or giving up. For example, use "forsake" when there's a moral obligation involved or "relinquish" when dealing with rights or claims.

Common error

Avoid using "abandon" when a more specific verb like "relinquish" or "desert" would provide a clearer understanding of the action. For instance, instead of saying "They abandoned their rights", consider using "They relinquished their rights" to better convey the legal context.

Linguistic Context

Abandon" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of leaving someone or something behind, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Ludwig AI confirms that "abandon" fits seamlessly into various sentences, examples of which include contexts related to politics, business, and personal situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "abandon" is a versatile verb that signifies leaving someone or something behind, either by necessity or choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage, primarily in News & Media contexts. When writing, it's best to use more specific synonyms like "forsake", "desert", or "relinquish" for improved clarity. While "abandon" is broadly acceptable, being mindful of its implications ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forsake

Implies a more emotional or moral sense of leaving someone or something in need of support.

desert

Suggests leaving someone or something, especially when one has a duty or responsibility.

relinquish

Indicates a formal or willing surrender of a right, claim, or possession.

give up

A more general term for ceasing to do or pursue something.

leave behind

Focuses on the physical act of departing and leaving something or someone.

vacate

Specifically refers to leaving a place or position.

discard

Implies getting rid of something because it is no longer useful or wanted.

scrap

Suggests abandoning a plan or project, often due to difficulties.

ditch

An informal term for abandoning someone or something.

renege on

Refers to failing to fulfill a promise or agreement.

FAQs

How to use "abandon" in a sentence?

The verb "abandon" means to leave completely or finally; forsake utterly; to desert. For example: "They had to abandon their car after it broke down."

What can I say instead of "abandon"?

You can use alternatives like "forsake", "desert", or "relinquish" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abandon" or "leave behind"?

Both "abandon" and "leave behind" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Abandon" implies a sense of finality and often desperation, while "leave behind" is more neutral and simply indicates that something was left.

What's the difference between "abandon" and "discard"?

"Abandon" implies leaving something of value or importance, often due to necessity or danger. "Discard", on the other hand, suggests getting rid of something that is no longer useful or wanted.