 Thu Dec 15, 2005 7:25 am His presence of mind deserted him |
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It is primarily a matter of learning collocation, Learner-- which words are used together frequently. Here, we use desert for the skills, abilities or talents that do not function for us when needed.
His presence of mind deserted him.
My savoir-faire always deserts me when I meet famous people.
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Mister Micawber
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| Fri Dec 16, 2005 17:40 pm His presence of mind deserted him |
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Hello,
I don't know if this can help but I'll give you some more explanation about these verbs which have almost the same meaning. It is true that you have to use them in collocations though.
'"ABANDON" means to withdraw one's support or help from, to leave completely or give up because of loss of interest, distaste and the like. It implies previous association with or responsibility for:
to abandon one’s house; to abandon one’s wife; to abandon one’s career; to abandon all hope, etc.
"DESERT" means to go away from a person or place, to leave neglected without support or money. It also means running away from service, duty, ship, etc. with the intention of never coming back. It’s used in unfavourable sense, since it implies violating of formal or moral obligations. If you desert something, most of the time it means that you do it in order to join just the opposite, let's say party, idea, plan, etc.
Unloyal sailors desert their ship, but helpless passengers abandon it.
"FORSAKE" means to give up (something formerly held dear); to go away from or to give up sth; breaking away from someone or bringing to an end relations with. It usually implies violating obligations or affection, or friendship. Similarly to “abandon” it’s used both in favourable or unfavourable sense:
to forsake one’s children; to forsake a bad habit.
He has already forsaken smoking.
"LEAVE" is the most commonly used verb of all these synonyms but it lacks the emotional colouring of "abandon, desert and forsake"
"RESIGN" means to give up office, to withdraw from (a position, a task, a claim): to resign office; to resign property; to resign rights; to resign a claim (in court), etc.
Hope this helps a bit! 
Success!
Daniela
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Daniela
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