foregone wages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foregone wages" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing lost earnings or income that one has missed out on, often due to circumstances beyond their control. Example: "After the accident, he was unable to work for several months, resulting in significant foregone wages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Not only is tuition much lower, but there are no foregone wages or relocation costs.

The New York Times

It could introduce a system of cash transfers that would compensate households for the foregone wages of their children, which average $47 a month for those aged six to 14.

The Guardian - Business

An increase in unemployment increases the opportunity cost of foregone wages.

Health Economics Review

In 2017, the patients on wait lists sacrificed an average of about $1,800 in foregone wages.

Forbes

4.4 0.6% Indirect costs Costs of absenteeism 40.1 5.8%   - foregone wages −13.3 −1.9%   - loss of added value (e.g. profit, social insurance contributions etc).

Health Economics Review

Study sponsors should attend to foregone wages and replacement costs caregivers incur to work as study partners and invest in these caregivers by offering gratis respite or direct financial compensation for their time and effort.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For that fraction of the population which was unemployed, a minimum wage rate of $5.155 per hour was used to value the foregone earnings potential had these persons been in paid employment [ 29].

BMC Ophthalmology

This method assumes that wages equate to the revenue a person produces and when lost represents their foregone earnings or opportunity cost [ 16].

BMC Oral Health

Childbearing disproportionately affects the future earning trajectories of womb-owners, represented by wages foregone.

Huffington Post

Despite the apparent ease with which it appeared to cruise to victory, the new $15 minimum wage wasn't a foregone conclusion.

The Washington Post

British victories are foregone conclusions.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic impacts, use "foregone wages" to specifically denote the wages an individual or group did not receive due to a particular event or decision. This term is particularly useful in formal and analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "foregone wages" when you actually mean "unpaid wages". "Foregone wages" refers to potential earnings that were not realized due to a choice or circumstance, while "unpaid wages" refers to wages that were earned but not paid by an employer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foregone wages" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the earnings that were not received due to a specific event or decision, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foregone wages" is a noun phrase that refers to earnings that were not received due to specific circumstances or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and best suited for professional and analytical contexts where quantifying lost income is essential. While alternatives like "lost earnings" or "missed income" exist, "foregone wages" provides a specific and formal way to discuss potential earnings that were not realized. Remember to use "foregone wages" accurately, distinguishing it from "unpaid wages", to ensure clear communication. "Foregone wages" is most often found in "News & Media" and "Science" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earnings forgone

A direct synonym with a slightly different word order.

lost earnings

Focuses on the fact that earnings were not received.

missed income

Emphasizes the aspect of income that was not obtained.

potential earnings lost

Highlights the potential aspect of earnings that could have been earned.

income not realized

Emphasizes that the income was not actually obtained.

sacrificed income

Emphasizes the sacrifice made by giving up income.

waived salary

Highlights the voluntary aspect of giving up a salary.

remuneration not received

Uses a more formal term for payment and highlights that it was not obtained.

opportunity cost of labor

Highlights the economic aspect of lost labor and its value.

unearned pay

Focuses on the pay that was not received, implying it was expected.

FAQs

What does "foregone wages" mean?

"Foregone wages" refers to the income or salary that an individual does not receive due to choosing an alternative activity or because of specific circumstances, such as unemployment, illness, or choosing to pursue education.

How can I use "foregone wages" in a sentence?

You can use "foregone wages" to describe situations where someone has missed out on potential earnings. For example, "The cost of attending the training program included tuition and "lost wages"."

What are some alternatives to "foregone wages"?

Alternatives to "foregone wages" include "lost earnings", "missed income", or "sacrificed income". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How do "foregone wages" differ from "unemployment benefits"?

"Foregone wages" are the wages an individual could have earned if they were employed. "Unemployment benefits" are payments received from the government to compensate for a portion of those "lost earnings" while unemployed.