has been squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, typically time or resources, has been wasted or used inefficiently. Example: "The opportunity for growth has been squandered due to poor planning and lack of execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It has been squandered.

The Guardian - Opinion

The enormous investment has been squandered.

The New York Times

Another opportunity has been squandered.

The Guardian

A promising opportunity has been squandered.

The Guardian - Film

Rather it has been squandered, or perhaps stolen.

The Economist

During this boom scarce capital has been squandered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet the 23-year head start on its rival code has been squandered.

Independent

Republicans assert the first dose of stimulus spending has been squandered on dubious projects.

The New York Times

Needless to say, the offices are scruffy and cramped – no money has been squandered on surroundings.

The Guardian - Money

Unfortunately, much of the goodwill that the United States might have expected has been squandered.

The New York Times

That this opportunity has been squandered is something for Rangers fans to contemplate.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been squandered" to emphasize that a resource, opportunity, or asset was not only used but also wasted carelessly or unwisely. For example, "The company's early lead in the market has been squandered due to lack of innovation."

Common error

Avoid using "has been squandered" when something was simply unused or not fully utilized. The phrase implies active and wasteful misuse, not just a lack of use. For example, it's more appropriate to say "The potential of the technology was unrealized" rather than "The potential of the technology has been squandered" if the technology was never implemented.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been squandered" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that the subject has been subjected to wasteful or reckless use. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where valuable resources are described as being wasted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been squandered" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe the wasteful or reckless loss of something valuable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly within News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the situation genuinely involves wasteful misuse rather than mere underutilization. Alternatives like "has been wasted" or "has been mismanaged" may be more appropriate depending on the nuance. The high frequency and authoritative sources suggest it's a reliable choice for expressing disapproval over squandered resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has gone to waste

Replaces "squandered" with the more general term "waste", indicating a loss of value.

has been wasted

Substitutes "squandered" with "wasted", suggesting inefficient use.

has been thrown away

Indicates a complete and careless discarding of something valuable.

has been frittered away

Replaces "squandered" with "frittered away", implying gradual and foolish wasting.

has been misused

Focuses on incorrect or inappropriate use of resources.

has been mismanaged

Shifts focus from wasting to poor management, implying resources were handled badly.

has been dissipated

Implies that something has been scattered or spread out and lost its value.

has been lost

Emphasizes the disappearance or loss of something, without necessarily implying wasteful use.

has been sacrificed

Implies that something has been given up, often for a purpose that may or may not have been worthwhile.

has come to nothing

Indicates that efforts or resources have failed to produce any positive results.

FAQs

How can I use "has been squandered" in a sentence?

Use "has been squandered" to describe a situation where something valuable, like time, money, or opportunity, has been wasted or used inefficiently. For example, "The government's investment in education "has been squandered" due to corruption".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "has been squandered"?

Alternatives include "has gone to waste", "has been wasted", or "has been mismanaged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Has gone to waste" is more general, while "has been mismanaged" suggests poor handling rather than outright waste.

Is it correct to use "has been squandered" in a formal context?

Yes, "has been squandered" is suitable for formal contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and business communications. It is a relatively strong term, so ensure it accurately reflects the degree of waste or mismanagement you are describing.

What's the difference between "has been wasted" and "has been squandered"?

While both phrases indicate that something valuable was lost, "has been squandered" implies a more careless or reckless form of wasting. "Has been wasted" is a more neutral term, simply indicating that something was not used effectively. Use "has been squandered" when you want to emphasize the irresponsibility or poor judgment involved.