abandon + object
Leaving someone or something behind
Use abandon directly with a noun object.
The crew had to abandon the ship during the storm.
Abandon by or abandon in?
Abandon is usually used without a following preposition. Phrases with by or in normally introduce extra information such as method, place, or emotional state.
Quick answer
How to use abandon
The verb abandon is normally transitive: abandon something or someone. “By” and “in” are usually not selected by the verb itself. “By” can introduce the method or agent, and “in” can introduce a state or place.
They abandoned the plan after the meeting.
The village was abandoned by its residents.
She danced in abandon during the celebration.
The village was abandoned by its residents.
She danced in abandon during the celebration.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
abandoned by + person or force
Showing who left or rejected someone
Use by after the past participle abandoned to name the agent.
He felt abandoned by his friends.
abandon + object + for + alternative
Leaving one thing to choose another
Use for to show what replaces the abandoned thing.
They abandoned paper records for digital files.
in abandon
Describing uncontrolled emotion or freedom
In abandon is a literary expression meaning without restraint.
The children laughed in abandon.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
abandon + object
She abandoned the project.
Standard use of the verb with a direct object.
abandoned by + agent
The house was abandoned by its owners.
By introduces the person or group responsible.
abandon in + place
They abandoned the car in the desert.
In introduces location, not a fixed verb-preposition combination.
in abandon
He sang in abandon.
A separate literary phrase meaning freely or wildly.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Adding by directly after abandon
Do not use by immediately after abandon as a fixed pattern.
✕ They abandoned by fear the plan. ✓ They abandoned the plan because of fear.Confusing location with verb pattern
In may describe place, not the verb itself.
✕ We abandon in our traditions. ✓ We abandon our traditions.Using abandon without an object in ordinary contexts
The verb usually needs an object.
✕ The soldiers abandoned. ✓ The soldiers abandoned the base.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The family had to ___ the house before the flood.
2. The child felt ___ his parents.
3. They abandoned the truck ___ the forest.
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Frequently asked questions
Is abandon followed by a preposition?
Usually no. The verb normally takes a direct object, as in abandon the plan.
Can I say abandoned by someone?
Yes. This is common in passive structures to show who left or rejected someone.
Is in abandon common English?
It exists but is literary and uncommon in everyday speech.
Related preposition guides
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