can be squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the potential for wasting resources, time, or opportunities. Example: "Opportunities for growth can be squandered if not pursued diligently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But coupled to weapons like this one, fighters' lives can be squandered in a snap.

The New York Times

Genetics do play a part, although these natural gifts can be squandered.

The Guardian - Sport

"I saw firsthand how talent can be squandered and enthusiasm deflated when people aren't given the tools, trust or time to do their jobs".

The New York Times

With little attendant scrutiny from the media, scholars and independent good-governance organizations, however, precious resources can be squandered year after year.

The New York Times

The appealing qualities of the period's literature — its humor, its frankness about sex and power, its omnivorous curiosity about humanity and the world — can be squandered, by present-day revivalists, amid defunct slang, semicolon dashes, and promiscuous capitalization.

The New Yorker

But it is precisely these crown jewels that can be squandered if we become lazy, or engage in mindless protectionism, or persist in radical tax cutting that can only erode the strength and quality of our government and educational institutions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That hard-earned excellence can easily be squandered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pursue young players on teams that have packed it in, particularly the smarter ones like the A's and the Blue Jays, who realize that at-bats are a currency that can either be squandered on veterans whose abilities are well known or properly spent on young players who need experience and the platform to showcase their skills.

The New York Times

Debate over abortion and the death penalty reflect this tension between authority and freedom at its most extreme; many believe that the right to life is sacred before birth, but can readily be squandered when someone commits a capital crime.

Critical Care

How can potential donors be certain that their money will not be squandered on a poorly run or fraudulent project?

The New York Times - Tech

It must not be squandered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be squandered" to highlight the potential for resources or opportunities to be wasted if not managed carefully.

Common error

Avoid using "can be squandered" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "wasted" or "lost" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be squandered" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential for something to be wasted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be squandered" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for highlighting the risk of wasting valuable resources or chances. As Ludwig AI points out, it's most frequently found in news and media, and science, contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To avoid sounding unnatural, opt for simpler alternatives like "wasted" in casual settings. Remember to use this phrase to caution against mismanagement and emphasize the importance of careful stewardship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be wasted

Expresses the possibility of something being used inefficiently or carelessly.

could be frittered away

Suggests spending or using something foolishly and without purpose.

might be dissipated

Implies the scattering or wasting of something, often energy or resources.

can be misused

Focuses on the incorrect or inappropriate use of something.

may go to waste

Highlights the potential for something useful to not be utilized at all.

could be thrown away

Emphasizes the careless discarding of something valuable.

might be lost

Indicates the potential for something valuable to disappear or be irrecoverable.

can be forfeited

Suggests losing something as a consequence of one's actions or inaction.

may be sacrificed

Implies giving up something valuable, often for a perceived greater good.

could be ruined

Focuses on the potential for something to be damaged or destroyed.

FAQs

How can I use "can be squandered" in a sentence?

Use "can be squandered" to indicate the potential for something valuable, like time or resources, to be wasted if not used wisely. For example, "Opportunities "can be squandered" if not pursued diligently".

What are some alternatives to "can be squandered"?

Alternatives include phrases like "may be wasted", "could be frittered away", or "might be dissipated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "can be wasted" or "can be squandered"?

"Can be wasted" is a more general term. "Can be squandered" implies a more careless or foolish wasting of something valuable.

What does it mean when someone says "opportunities can be squandered"?

It means that potential chances for success or improvement may be lost if not taken advantage of properly or if managed poorly.