What is the difference between abandon and leave

Answer: To abandon is to be compelled to leave, more over you make the mental decision to abandon. To leave is to almost "forget" what you left behind.

Explanation:

Best example is someone Abandoning there studies which implies they did it on purpose and then someone Leaving there books at home, almost like they "forgot" about them.

To abandon is to completely forget about something, like

"i completely abandoned the idea of getting that shirt".

To leave is to go away, and you don't just say

"i completely left the idea of getting that shirt."

that just sounds weird.

Leave can simply mean to depart.

My train will leave the station at 3:30pm

sounds better than

My train will abandon the station at 3:30 pm.

See the difference? If not, comment and ask.