for their profligacy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for their profligacy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the excessive or wasteful behavior of individuals or groups, often in a moral or financial context. Example: "The company faced severe backlash for their profligacy in spending during the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yorkshiremen are not known for their profligacy.

The Economist

This time Everton paid for their profligacy.

Independent

Fulham were duly punished for their profligacy.

The Guardian - Sport

But Blackburn were punished for their profligacy 63 minutes in.

The Guardian - Sport

9 22pm: Leeds have been punished for their profligacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Five minutes before the interval, Northampton paid for their profligacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

CRAGs are citizens, mostly in Britain, who form support groups and then hold each other to account for their carbon profligacy.

The New York Times

Berlin has been making it clear that the Greeks should pay dearly for their fiscal profligacy, an approach that is playing well with German voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Ms. Levine said that the jury in her case was careful and conscientious and that Vermonters were not noted for their financial profligacy.

The New York Times

After the unraveling of the pact, some bank watchers predicted Mr. Trichet would send a hawkish signal as a way to discipline France and Germany for their fiscal profligacy.

The New York Times

German politicians have scored points with voters at home by excoriating fellow members of the euro zone for their supposed profligacy, a situation Mr. Monti highlighted with his comments about Germany's acting as "the ringleader" of intolerance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for their profligacy" when you want to emphasize the consequences of wasteful or extravagant behavior, particularly in financial contexts. It often carries a tone of moral judgment or criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "for their profligacy" when simply describing spending habits. "Profligacy" implies a degree of excess and irresponsibility. If the spending is merely high but not necessarily wasteful, consider alternatives like "for their expenditure" or "for their spending habits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their profligacy" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the reason or cause of a particular outcome or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It explains why something happened, often with a negative connotation related to wasteful or irresponsible behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for their profligacy" serves as an adverbial phrase that explains the reason or cause of a negative outcome linked to wasteful spending. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It is most often found in neutral news contexts but can tilt toward formal based on the source and surrounding vocabulary. When employing the expression, it's crucial to ensure that "profligacy" accurately reflects the situation. The existence of many alternatives, such as "due to their extravagance" or "because of their wastefulness", allows for nuanced expression, adapting the register and emphasis to suit specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to their extravagance

Replaces 'profligacy' with a more common synonym, focusing on excessive spending.

because of their wastefulness

Highlights the aspect of wasting resources, shifting the emphasis slightly.

as a result of their overspending

Specifically addresses the act of spending too much money.

owing to their fiscal irresponsibility

Focuses on the lack of responsibility in financial matters, a more formal tone.

on account of their lavishness

Emphasizes the luxurious and abundant nature of their spending.

attributable to their squandering

Stresses the act of carelessly wasting resources or opportunities.

consequent to their imprudence

Highlights the lack of wisdom or foresight in their financial decisions.

stemming from their prodigality

Uses a more formal synonym for profligacy, indicating wasteful expenditure.

resulting from their immoderate spending

Focuses on the lack of moderation in their spending habits.

caused by their reckless expenditure

Emphasizes the careless and potentially harmful nature of their spending.

FAQs

How can I use "for their profligacy" in a sentence?

You can use "for their profligacy" to explain negative consequences resulting from wasteful or extravagant behavior. For example, "The company faced severe criticism "for their profligacy" during the economic downturn".

What's a less formal alternative to "for their profligacy"?

If you want to express a similar idea in a less formal way, you could use phrases like "because of their wastefulness" or "due to their extravagance".

When is it appropriate to use "for their profligacy"?

It is appropriate when you wish to highlight the negative results of irresponsible financial behavior or excessive spending. The phrase implies moral or fiscal mismanagement.

What's the difference between "for their profligacy" and "for their spending"?

"For their spending" is a neutral description of expenditure. "For their profligacy", on the other hand, suggests that the spending was excessive, wasteful, and potentially damaging. Using "for their profligacy" carries a stronger negative connotation.