Abandon vs Let us be rid of it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Abandon

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb

Let us be rid of it

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Abandon
 AbandonLet us be rid of it
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //əˈbændən//🇺🇸 //əˈbændən//🇬🇧 //lɛt ʌs biː rɪd ʌv ɪt//🇺🇸 //lɛt ʌs bi rɪd ʌv ɪt//
MeaningTo leave something behind and not return.To get rid of something undesirable.
ExampleThey decided to abandon the project due to lack of funds.Let us be rid of it before it causes more trouble.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsabandon a plan, abandon a hope, abandon a shiplet us be free, let us be clear, let us be honest, let us move forward, let us take action
Antonymsretain, keep, continue-
Common mistakesConfused with 'leave' in meanings., Using 'abandon' with non-physical subjects (shouldn't use for people in most contexts)., Omitting the object after 'abandon'.Translated directly from native language without understanding nuance., Confused with 'let's get rid of it' which is more casual., Used in inappropriate contexts, such as informal conversations.
Usage notesCommonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Can imply giving up or leaving something without intention to return.Use in contexts where you are suggesting to eliminate something negative. Slightly formal, more often used in written or spoken debates.

See it in real clips

Abandon
Let us be rid of it

Frequently asked questions: Abandon vs Let us be rid of it

What's the difference between Abandon and Let us be rid of it?

Abandon: To leave something behind and not return. Let us be rid of it: To get rid of something undesirable.

Which is more common: Abandon and Let us be rid of it?

Abandon is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Abandon: They decided to abandon the project due to lack of funds. Let us be rid of it: Let us be rid of it before it causes more trouble.

Can I use Abandon and Let us be rid of it interchangeably?

Not always. Abandon and Let us be rid of it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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