What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unattended
Example
The children were left unattended in the park. [unattended: adjective]
Example
The store was unattended when I arrived. [unattended: past participle]
deserted
Example
The beach was deserted at night. [deserted: adjective]
Example
The town was deserted after the hurricane. [deserted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deserted is more commonly used than unattended in everyday language. Deserted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unattended is less common and refers to a specific situation where something has been left alone without care or attention.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unattended and deserted?
Both unattended and deserted are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.