by abandoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by abandoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of giving up or leaving something behind as part of a larger action or consequence. Example: "The company improved its profits significantly by abandoning its outdated business model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Kurtag makes us laugh by abandoning decorum.

The New York Times

-- By abandoning sleaze, and then not using W.W.F.

The New York Times - Sports

By abandoning anatomical three-dimensional drawing, he showed how to render movement for movement's sake.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"By abandoning that trajectory RIM is effectively giving up on growth," he wrote.

The New York Times

We can do better fighting drug abuse, but not by abandoning criminal sanctions.

The New York Times

He then showed his gratitude by abandoning forever both racing and gambling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a small town people knew everything; they knew what she had done by abandoning me.

The New Yorker

A wave of public protests swept Europe, especially after President Reagan alarmed many by abandoning détente.

Independent

He purchased peace by abandoning his claim in 1813, after several years of war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the moment, they have neatly dodged that problem by abandoning their international businesses.

The Economist

Designers responded by abandoning dark Victorian interiors and ponderous furniture for lighter pieces and asymmetrical forms.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by abandoning", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what is being left behind and what the consequence or result of this abandonment is. For example, "The company improved its profits significantly by abandoning its outdated business model."

Common error

Avoid using "by abandoning" without a clear indication of the outcome or purpose of the abandonment. Without this clarity, the sentence can be confusing and lack impact. For example, instead of "They succeeded by abandoning", specify "They succeeded by abandoning their previous strategy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by abandoning" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a gerund, which modifies a verb or clause. It indicates the means or method by which an action is performed or a result is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by abandoning" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the means by which a particular outcome is achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is particularly frequent in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral register suitable for formal and informal writing. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify both what is being abandoned and the resulting effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by forsaking

Emphasizes a more deliberate or moral decision to leave something behind.

by relinquishing

Highlights giving up control or possession of something.

by forgoing

Focuses on abstaining from something, often a benefit or opportunity.

by discarding

Suggests throwing something away as unwanted or useless.

by dropping

Implies a more casual or unintentional cessation of something.

by leaving

A general term for departing from something.

by ceasing

Emphasizes the termination or stopping of an action or state.

by deserting

Suggests leaving someone or something in a disloyal or treacherous way.

by surrendering

Implies giving up or yielding to something.

by quitting

Suggests stopping an activity or endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "by abandoning" in a sentence?

Use "by abandoning" to show that a particular action or strategy was given up, resulting in a new outcome. For example, "The team improved efficiency "by abandoning manual processes"."

What can I say instead of "by abandoning"?

You can use alternatives like "by relinquishing", "by forsaking", or "by forgoing" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "by relinquishing" or "by abandoning"?

"By relinquishing" is generally considered more formal than "by abandoning". "By abandoning" is suitable for most contexts, while "by relinquishing" may be preferred in more formal or official writing.

When is it appropriate to use "by abandoning"?

It's appropriate to use "by abandoning" when you want to emphasize that a specific method, belief, or item was deliberately left behind, leading to a new condition or result. Be sure to clearly state both what was abandoned and the resulting outcome.