is being squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where resources, time, or opportunities are being wasted or misused. Example: "The funding for the project is being squandered on unnecessary expenses instead of being allocated to essential needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Human capital is being squandered.

The New York Times

That potential is being squandered.

Independent

Too much cable money is being squandered.

The New York Times

"It seems an opportunity is being squandered".

The New York Times

So the boon of the oil wealth is being squandered.

The Economist

Under Mr Obama, America seems rudderless and its power is being squandered.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"It's being squandered".

Independent

Trillions of dollars are being squandered.

The New York Times

"I thought those funds were being squandered," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Be it renewable energy, manufacturing or urban planning, our natural advantages are being squandered.

The Guardian - Opinion

We don't mean dollars, though those are being squandered by the billions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is being squandered", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being wasted, and the context illustrates the negative consequences of this waste.

Common error

Do not use "is being squandered" with an unclear subject. For example, instead of saying "Opportunity is being squandered", specify whose opportunity, such as "Their opportunity is being squandered."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being squandered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is the recipient of an action that results in waste or mismanagement. It's used to highlight that something valuable is being used unwisely or inefficiently. This is confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is being squandered" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to express concern over the wasteful use of resources or opportunities. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent usage across various sources. It is a highly effective way to communicate disapproval regarding mismanagement, especially in news, business and scientific contexts. While there exist many alternatives to "is being squandered" such as "is being wasted" or "is being misused", it is important to tailor your choice to the specific context to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being wasted

Focuses directly on the inefficient use of resources.

is being misused

Emphasizes the incorrect or inappropriate application of something.

is going to waste

Highlights the process of something becoming useless or spoiled.

is being frittered away

Suggests a gradual and careless wasting of resources.

is being lost

Focuses on the disappearance or inability to recover something valuable.

is being underutilized

Emphasizes that something is not being used to its full potential.

is not being maximized

Highlights the failure to achieve the best possible outcome or use.

is falling by the wayside

Indicates a gradual decline or abandonment of something.

is being neglected

Highlights a lack of care or attention, leading to wasted potential.

is being sacrificed

Implies that something valuable is being given up, often for a lesser gain.

FAQs

How can I use "is being squandered" in a sentence?

Use "is being squandered" to express that something valuable, like resources, opportunities, or talent, is being wasted or used inefficiently. For example, "The company's potential "is being squandered" due to poor management."

What are some alternatives to "is being squandered"?

You can use alternatives such as "is being wasted", "is being misused", or "is going to waste" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "are being squandered" instead of "is being squandered"?

Yes, "are being squandered" is correct when referring to plural subjects. For example, "The company's resources "are being squandered" on frivolous expenses", while "is being squandered" is used with singular nouns, such as "The budget "is being squandered" on unnecessary projects."

What's the difference between "is being squandered" and "is being wasted"?

While both phrases indicate inefficient use, ""is being squandered"" often implies a greater loss of potential or a more careless approach to resource management than "is being wasted". Squandering often suggests a valuable asset is being used unwisely.