they were abandoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were abandoned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or entities were left behind or deserted by others. Example: "The animals were left alone in the shelter, and sadly, they were abandoned by their previous owners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They were abandoned long ago".

The New Yorker

They were abandoned by 1974.

The New York Times

That they were abandoned?

The Guardian

They were abandoned or abused in childhood.

The Guardian

They were allies first and later, they were abandoned.

The New York Times

Within days, they were abandoned on the floor.

The New York Times

Murle leaders have complained that they were abandoned in their hour of need.

The New York Times

"They were abandoned, and it's great that they have families," she said.

The New York Times

They were abandoned by their guides under a scorching sun, and only 12 survived.

The New York Times

They were abandoned in 2010, a year before they were to be officially introduced.

The Guardian

The brothers live with their Filipino mother; they were abandoned by their white father.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were abandoned", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what did the abandoning. Clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun 'they' has a clear and immediate antecedent. Without a clear reference, sentences using "they were abandoned" can become confusing and lose their intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were abandoned" functions as a passive voice construction, where the subject 'they' receives the action of being abandoned. This construction emphasizes the state of being abandoned rather than who performed the act. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were abandoned" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used passive voice construction that describes a state of being deserted or left behind. Ludwig AI affirms its usability across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, it serves to express neglect or lack of support, maintaining a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it is crucial to provide a clear antecedent for 'they'. Alternatives include "they were deserted" or "they were left behind", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were deserted

Replaces "abandoned" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being left alone.

they were left behind

Focuses on the physical act of not being included or taken along.

they were forsaken

Implies a sense of being utterly deserted or renounced, often with emotional or moral connotations.

they were stranded

Emphasizes being left in a helpless situation, typically during travel.

they were given up

Highlights the act of someone ceasing to support or believe in them.

they were marooned

Suggests being isolated in a remote or desolate place.

they were discarded

Conveys the idea of being thrown away or rejected as useless.

they were scrapped

Implies the termination or cancellation of plans or projects.

they were shelved

Suggests postponement or indefinite delay of plans or ideas.

they were discontinued

Focuses on the termination of a service or product.

FAQs

What does "they were abandoned" mean?

The phrase "they were abandoned" means that a group of people or things were left behind, deserted, or given up by someone who was responsible for them. It implies a sense of neglect and being left to fend for themselves.

How can I use "they were abandoned" in a sentence?

You can use "they were abandoned" to describe a situation where a group of people or things have been left behind or deserted, such as: "After the company closed, "they were abandoned" by their employer."

What are some alternatives to saying "they were abandoned"?

Some alternatives to "they were abandoned" include "they were deserted", "they were left behind", or "they were forsaken". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "they were abandoned" or "they abandoned"?

The choice between "they were abandoned" and "they abandoned" depends on who performed the action. "They abandoned" means a group actively did the abandoning, while "they were abandoned" means a group was the recipient of the action. For example, "The soldiers abandoned their posts" versus "The villagers were abandoned by the fleeing soldiers."