gone unused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone unused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been utilized or employed for a period of time. Example: "The equipment has been gone unused for several months, gathering dust in the corner of the warehouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The government's small donations tax relief scheme was so complex most of its budget has gone unused.

The Guardian

Account ownership has nearly doubled since 2011; but 43% of them have gone unused for a year.

The Guardian

The University of Massachusetts built a biologics lab on the former mental hospital grounds, but most the land has gone unused since the hospital closed.

The New York Times

Here in Anhui province and in neighboring regions, from 5 to 15percentt of cropland has recently gone unused, according to many reports, and the practice is spreading.

The New York Times

When Mr. Martins approached him, Mr. McCartney had already written a few minutes of rippling, oceanic music for the filmmaker Jacques Perrin; it had gone unused, and he had been thinking of extending it into a larger piece.

The New York Times - Arts

Since moving to the bullpen after his Sept. 10 start in Texas — his second trip to the bullpen in three weeks — Vazquez had gone unused until replacing Hughes with one on and one out in the seventh.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Those spaces went unused.

The New York Times

That $4.5 million would go unused.

The New York Times - Sports

And two went unused:.sj and.pm.

The Economist

The pan went unused for three months.

The New York Times

Why is an item going unused?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resources or opportunities, "gone unused" effectively conveys that potential benefits were not realized. Use this phrase to highlight missed chances or inefficient allocation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "gone unused" can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not used" or "left alone" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone unused" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being in which something has not been utilized. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly describes resources, opportunities, or abilities that were available but not employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gone unused" effectively conveys the idea that something has not been utilized, often implying a missed opportunity or unrealized potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. While suitable for professional and neutral communication, simpler alternatives might be preferable in informal settings. Remember to use "gone unused" when you want to emphasize that a resource or opportunity was available but not taken advantage of.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not utilized

Replaces "gone unused" with a more formal and direct term for lack of use.

left idle

Implies a state of inactivity or dormancy, similar to something "gone unused".

remained untouched

Suggests something has not been used or altered in any way.

not employed

A more formal way of saying something wasn't put to work or service.

fallen into disuse

Indicates a gradual decline in usage, implying abandonment or obsolescence.

not leveraged

Focuses on the failure to capitalize on an available resource or opportunity.

lain dormant

Highlights a period of inactivity, suggesting potential for future use.

been neglected

Suggests a lack of care or attention led to the item not being used.

not implemented

Implies a plan or intention existed, but was never carried out.

sat gathering dust

A vivid idiom illustrating prolonged lack of use and accumulating neglect.

FAQs

How can I use "gone unused" in a sentence?

You can use "gone unused" to describe something that was available but not utilized. For instance, "The potential benefits of the project have "gone unused" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "gone unused"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not utilized", "left idle", or "remained untouched", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "gone unused"?

While grammatically correct, "gone unused" might sound a bit formal in casual conversation. In those cases, simpler phrases like "not used" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "gone unused" and "not used"?

"Gone unused" often implies that something was available for use but was not taken advantage of, whereas "not used" is a more general statement about the lack of usage. The nuance lies in the implication of potential or opportunity "gone unused".