ditch

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ditch" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a long and narrow hole dug for drainage or for a waterway, or as a verb meaning to intentionally avoid or abandon something. Example sentence: We decided to ditch the plans for a pool and instead use the extra money to build a gazebo.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

David Cameron will doubtless depart from his political career next month with the bare minimum of a few lucrative company directorships and a kiss-and-tell book deal, so long as that police horse, Raisa and the lamb he cuddled at Easter can be persuaded to ditch their own competing publications, both currently being ghostwritten from audiotapes by the Financial Times's Ben Thompson.

The Guardian - Opinion

If a body was taken into a den, or even if it lay in a ditch, the tag would be undetectable.

The Guardian

Microsoft hopes Windows 10 will bring users back and entice businesses to ditch the four-year-old Windows 7, seven-year-old Windows Vista and the now-discontinued 13-year-old Windows XP.

The Guardian - Tech

If Missouri or any other American state with similar conflicts – racial, religious, political, whatever – have any hope of healing, it lies with those who are serious and sturdy enough to ditch their petrified opinions, to embrace complexity and to absorb facts that make them uneasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The public became convinced that Labour had indeed driven the car into the ditch and declined to return the keys.

The Guardian - Opinion

The decision to ditch the Maze project will be seen as a blow to Northern Ireland's sports minister and DUP assembly member Edwin Poots.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Despite the impressive finishing, the game lacked finesse for long spells and McCormack almost capitalised on slack Wigan defending for a second time after latching on to a cross-field pass from Michael Turner, only for the striker to be halted by a desperate last-ditch slide from Emmerson Boyce.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, Grant supplied a terrific last-ditch tackle on Doran, 18 yards from goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Clegg sought to press home the case for higher tuition fees today by insisting the plans will make universities "more effective engines of social mobility" and that the policy will "stand the test of time", as he embarked on a last-ditch offensive to dispel "unhelpful myths", notably that the new funding system will worsen social mobility.

The Guardian

In a last-ditch attempt to frustrate the bill, Lord Harries, who chairs the Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement representing more than 100 groups, warned it would be a "bureaucratic nightmare" and accused ministers of imposing a "huge regulatory burden on campaigning groups".

The Guardian

United were second best, especially in midfield, where Jack Cork and Jonjo Shelvey outshone Marouane Fellaini and Ángel Di María, so it was against the run of play when Herrera opened the scoring with a shot that defeated Ashley Williams' last-ditch intervention.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ditch" in writing, consider its informal tone. While acceptable in many contexts, it might be too casual for formal or academic writing. Choose synonyms like "abandon" or "discard" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid confusing "ditch" with words like "stitch" or "twitch." "Ditch" refers to abandoning something or a trench, while "stitch" refers to sewing, and "twitch" refers to a sudden, involuntary muscle movement. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "ditch" functions primarily as both a noun (referring to a trench) and a verb (meaning to abandon or discard). Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, affirming its validity and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "ditch" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in contexts related to News & Media. While grammatically sound, its informal connotation suggests a careful consideration of context. Alternatives such as "abandon" or "discard" might serve better in formal settings. Proper usage avoids confusion with similar-sounding words and maintains clarity. The abundance of examples on Ludwig underscores its common usage and adaptability across different forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon

Emphasizes leaving something behind, often permanently and without intending to return.

discard

Suggests getting rid of something because it's no longer useful or wanted.

jettison

Implies throwing something overboard, often from a ship or aircraft, usually to lighten the load.

dump

Indicates getting rid of something quickly and carelessly.

get rid of

A more general phrase for eliminating something unwanted.

scrap

Suggests discarding something because it is broken or no longer functional.

eliminate

Implies completely removing something, often systematically.

drop

Can mean to abandon a plan or course of action.

walk away from

Suggests a deliberate decision to leave a situation or responsibility.

leave behind

Focuses on the act of not taking something or someone with you.

FAQs

How can I use "ditch" in a sentence?

You can use "ditch" to mean to abandon something, as in, "We decided to "ditch" our old car". It can also refer to a trench or a narrow depression in the ground.

What is a more formal alternative to "ditch"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives to "ditch" such as "abandon", "discard", or "relinquish" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "ditch" as a verb?

Yes, "ditch" can be used as a verb meaning to get rid of or abandon something. For example, "They had to "ditch" their plans due to the weather".

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

"Ditch" implies a more abrupt and informal abandonment compared to "abandon", which suggests a more deliberate and often permanent leaving behind. While you might "ditch" a bad habit, you might "abandon" a sinking ship.