plan was abandoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plan was abandoned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a previously established plan is no longer being pursued or followed. Example: "After much consideration, the team decided that the plan was abandoned due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The plan was abandoned.

The Economist

The caucus plan was abandoned.

The New York Times

That plan was abandoned in March 2001.

The New York Times

The plan was abandoned after a vociferous protest by Greenpeace.

Independent

When the plan was abandoned, the couple stepped in.

The New York Times

But this plan was abandoned in the 1970s.

The Economist

After several years and great expenditures the plan was abandoned.

The New York Times

In the end, the plan was abandoned, apparently on Chávez's orders.

The New Yorker

That plan was abandoned when attempts to draw regional and national retailers were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

A flotation plan was abandoned in 2010 and New Look's profits slumped soon afterwards.

The Guardian - Business

When the original plan was abandoned the total bill was expected to be £6.4bn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "plan was abandoned", ensure the context clearly explains why the plan was discontinued. Providing specific reasons or circumstances adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that the "plan was abandoned" without any explanation. Always provide context or reasoning to clarify why the plan was discontinued, as this enhances the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plan was abandoned" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that a previously considered plan has been discontinued or terminated. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is both correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plan was abandoned" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a particular plan has been discontinued. As confirmed by Ludwig, its passive construction emphasizes the plan itself, and it is used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as within encyclopedic entries and scientific reports. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying why the plan was abandoned enhances understanding. Alternative phrases include "plan was scrapped", "plan was dropped", and "plan was terminated", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the plan was called off

Replaces "abandoned" with "called off", implying a more direct decision to halt the plan.

the plan was scrapped

Uses "scrapped" instead of "abandoned", suggesting the plan was discarded due to being unusable or impractical.

the plan was terminated

Substitutes "abandoned" with "terminated", indicating a formal ending of the plan.

the plan was dropped

Replaces "abandoned" with "dropped", implying the plan was let go or discontinued.

the plan was discontinued

Uses "discontinued" in place of "abandoned", suggesting a halt in the plan's continuation.

the project was shelved

Replaces "plan" with "project" and "abandoned" with "shelved", indicating the project was put on hold indefinitely.

the initiative was cancelled

Substitutes "plan" with "initiative" and "abandoned" with "cancelled", suggesting the initiative was formally revoked.

the scheme was rejected

Uses "scheme" instead of "plan" and "rejected" in place of "abandoned", implying the scheme was turned down or not accepted.

the proposal was withdrawn

Replaces "plan" with "proposal" and "abandoned" with "withdrawn", suggesting the proposal was taken back or removed.

the strategy was reversed

Substitutes "plan" with "strategy" and "abandoned" with "reversed", indicating the strategy was changed to its opposite.

FAQs

How can I use "plan was abandoned" in a sentence?

You can use "plan was abandoned" to describe a situation where a previously conceived plan is no longer being pursued. For example, "The initial construction plan was abandoned due to budget constraints".

What are some alternatives to "plan was abandoned"?

You can use alternatives such as "plan was scrapped", "plan was dropped", or "plan was terminated depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing that a plan was abandoned?

Using the active voice (e.g., "They abandoned the plan") puts emphasis on the actor, while the passive voice ("plan was abandoned") emphasizes the plan itself. Choose the voice that best suits the focus of your sentence.

What's the difference between "plan was abandoned" and "plan was postponed"?

"Plan was abandoned" means the plan is no longer being considered, while "plan was postponed" means it has been delayed but may still be implemented in the future.