it was squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where resources, time, or opportunities have been wasted or misused. Example: "Despite the potential for success, the funding was squandered on unnecessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But it was squandered.

The Economist

Almost as quickly as the lead was built, however, it was squandered.

The New York Times - Sports

First, McNaughton's cross to Whelan at the back post presented Aberdeen with a goalscoring opportunity, but it was squandered when the striker shot across the face of goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Money that could, and should, have been used to add value to society was not invested; it was squandered as surely as if the parties had wagered on a horse race.

The New York Times

Perhaps it was squandered, in a larger artistic sense, but it still makes for captivating, and oddly reassuring, reading — it's a relief to know that, even if your life were more glamorous, you wouldn't necessarily be any happier.

The New Yorker

The most common accusation pointed at Belgium is that they do not move the ball quickly enough when faced with massed ranks; fortunately they were up against nothing of the sort here, allowing a tentative Hungary a quantity of possession they might not have bargained for before pouncing on the regular occasions it was squandered.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This arrangement suited Simon fine — he bitterly accepted a buyout offer from the paper in 1995, feeling that it was squandering talent under new management.

The New Yorker

For one thing, it was squandering more than $45 million to pass Proposition 16, a contemptible 2010 ballot measure PG&E; cooked up in an effort to hobble municipal power agencies that would compete for its customers.

Los Angeles Times

"Land here is a precious resource, and yet it is squandered".

The Guardian - Arts

Mitchell writes about emotional information: who controls it, and how it is squandered or hoarded, withheld or weaponized.

The New Yorker

"The idea of letting it be squandered on a few mansions drives me up the wall," she added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was squandered" to express that something of value was wasted or not used effectively. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

While acceptable, "it was squandered" can sometimes sound less formal. In academic or professional writing, consider stronger verbs like "dissipated", "misused", or "depleted" to convey a more precise meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was squandered" typically functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (represented by "it") was the recipient of an action that led to its waste. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase appears in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was squandered" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that something valuable has been wasted or misused. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility makes it suitable for many contexts, but be mindful of your audience, as using stronger verbs may be more appropriate in academic or professional contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was wasted

Focuses on the inefficient use of something, emphasizing the loss of value or potential benefit.

it was frittered away

Suggests a gradual and careless wasting of resources, often implying a lack of responsibility.

it was thrown away

Emphasizes the complete loss of something, often due to negligence or a deliberate act of discarding.

it was misused

Highlights the improper or inappropriate use of something, leading to a less than optimal outcome.

it was lost

Focuses on the disappearance of something, whether through accident, negligence, or other circumstances.

it was dissipated

Implies a gradual fading away or scattering of something, often associated with energy or resources.

it was misspent

Specifically refers to the wasteful or inappropriate spending of money or time.

it was forfeited

Indicates the loss of something due to a rule violation or failure to meet a requirement.

it was sacrificed

Suggests a deliberate giving up of something for the sake of a greater cause or objective, but potentially without achieving the intended outcome.

it went down the drain

An idiomatic expression meaning something was completely wasted or lost, often implying a sense of futility.

FAQs

How can I use "it was squandered" in a sentence?

Use "it was squandered" when referring to a resource, opportunity, or advantage that was wasted or not used to its full potential. For example, "The company's profits were high, but "it was squandered" on unnecessary expenses".

What are some alternatives to "it was squandered"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was wasted", "it was misused", or "it was lost" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was squandered" a formal or informal expression?

While generally acceptable in many contexts, "it was squandered" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal tone. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "it was dissipated" or "it was depleted".

What's the difference between "it was squandered" and "it was wasted"?

While both phrases imply a loss, ""it was squandered"" often suggests a greater degree of carelessness or irresponsibility in the loss, whereas "it was wasted" is a more general term for inefficient use or loss.