abandoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'abandoned' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe something that has been left behind and is no longer used, or to describe someone who has been deserted or left in a difficult situation. Example sentence: The abandoned warehouse had been left to rot for years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Travel

Books

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ReprintsThe first "arm" of the trial, in which PRO 2000 formed 2% of the gel, was abandoned early because results elsewhere suggested this was an ineffective mix.

The Economist

I felt abandoned.

The New York Times

And everyone knows that the only thing that can even come close to matching a decade-old repeat of Top Gear in terms of witty banter is a dank polling booth set up in an abandoned church hall on a drizzly Thursday afternoon".

The Guardian

There they abandoned the Steyr and continued on foot, sleeping in the forest and taking turns to keep watch.

The Guardian

The Queensland government will submit a new application to the federal environment minister Greg Hunt for the dredging proposal, centred on the "T2" site, previously abandoned by BHP.

The Guardian

'The confidence which came from a second victory would encourage the Government to reclaim the principles it had abandoned.

The Guardian

The prison had apparently been abandoned by the French authorities to disease and death.

The Guardian

If Bayern also attacked with energy they were equally generous in defence, starting with the same high-risk, forward-thrusting three-man backline Pep Guardiola had abandoned after 15 minutes of the first leg.

The Guardian - Sport

Even more importantly, she abandoned Mutharika's autocratic tendencies.

The Guardian

He said he had to threaten to resign to prevent the promised introduction of the first patient waiting times for treatment being abandoned.

The Guardian

Carswell claimed Labour had abandoned socialism and was now a "corporatist" party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abandoned" to describe a place, ensure that context clarifies whether it was recently deserted or has been neglected for a long time. This adds nuance to the description.

Common error

Be mindful of the strong emotional connotations of "abandoned". Avoid using it in contexts where "left" or "vacated" would be more neutral and accurate to describe something without emotional impact.

Linguistic Context

Abandoned functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has been deserted or left behind. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Travel

8%

Business

7%

Less common in

Books

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Sports

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "abandoned" is a versatile adjective with a strong sense of desolation and neglect. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. It appears frequently in news and media, travel writing, and business publications. While it can be used in both formal and informal settings, being aware of the emotional impact is crucial for effective communication. Related terms like "forsaken" or "deserted" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserted

Highlights the act of leaving a place or person, often implying a lack of care or responsibility.

left behind

Indicates something or someone was unintentionally not taken along.

forsaken

Emphasizes a feeling of being deserted or left alone, often with emotional connotations.

discarded

Implies something is thrown away because it's no longer wanted or needed.

given up

Implies ceasing effort or hope in a particular situation or endeavor.

dumped

Suggests a sudden and often disrespectful abandonment of something or someone.

relinquished

Suggests a voluntary surrender of something, such as a right or claim.

derelict

Describes something that has been neglected and is in poor condition, often a building or property.

vacated

Refers to leaving a place empty, often in a formal or official context.

discontinued

Refers to stopping a practice or product from continuing or being produced.

FAQs

How can I use "abandoned" in a sentence?

You can use "abandoned" to describe places (e.g., "an abandoned house"), objects (e.g., "an abandoned car"), or even abstract concepts (e.g., "abandoned principles").

What's a good alternative to "abandoned" when describing a building?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "derelict", "vacant", or "deserted".

Which is correct, "abandoned by" or "abandoned from"?

"Abandoned by" is the correct preposition to use when indicating who or what did the abandoning. "The project was abandoned by the investors".

What is the difference between "abandoned" and "neglected"?

"Abandoned" implies a complete cessation of care or support, while "neglected" suggests a lack of sufficient care or attention, without necessarily being completely left behind.