Abandon vs. leave

[Anna99]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #62 "Synonyms for quit", question 8

He easily ......... his career.

(a) left
(b) departed
(c) abandoned
(d) stopped

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #62 "Synonyms for quit", answer 8

He easily abandoned his career.

Correct answer: (c) abandoned

Your answer was: incorrect
He easily left his career.
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Hi!
Why is abadoned is better then left? Please, explain it.
thank you
sincerelly,
anna

[Daniela]

Hi Anna99,
In this particular example "abandon" is more appropriate because it refers to the idea of giving up something important or significant (such as a career). It also implies previous responsibility for something (or someone) and has an emotional colouring whereas "leave" lacks this emotional colouring.
Daniela
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[Athenaxcy]

i just wonder can we say: " never to abandon, never to give up"

[Alan]

Hi,

That depends on the rest of the sentence. If you have a main verb in the sentence you could say: They wanted never to abandon/never to give up. On their own your two phrases could be considered as imperatives (orders) in which case you would say: never abandon/never give up. The third possibility is to make these two phrases subjects of a sentence as in: Never to abandon/give up is the characteristic of an optimistic person.

Alan
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[Athenaxcy]

hi, Alan

thank you for your answer.

the whole sentence is: Although different people have different opinions about American Dream, for me it is never to abandon, never to give up.

Is this sentence acceptable?

Athena

[Cilentcry]