might be squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of wasting resources, time, or opportunities. Example: "If we don't act quickly, our chances for success might be squandered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rather than leaving ready cash in the corporate coffers, where it might be squandered before a worthwhile investment opportunity comes along, many shareholders prefer to drain it off at regular intervals.

The New York Times

A few months earlier, Persian Gulf leaders were balking at direct disbursement of promised aid to the Palestinian Authority, which they worried might be squandered through inefficiency or corruption.

The New York Times

Dr Koukash reiterated his promise that funds are available for Noble to buy "between 10 and 15 new players", but the worry is that in doing so, the promise and spirit that a young team have shown under the caretaker charge of Alan Hunte during the past month might be squandered.

The Guardian - Sport

No matter how many dollars might be squandered in the process, you see in modern TV advertising what you see in, say, Greek statuary: a cultural key, a worldview whose increasing irrelevance to cold economic models only testifies to how compelling it remains for us.

The New York Times - Magazine

Since investment decisions are often judged on their capacity to sustain the value of those investments, the approach should also incorporate the risk that investments might be squandered if conservation agreements are violated or social or political instability leads to habitat destruction [35].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But when Ms. Klein suggested that she might be squandering an opportunity, Ms. Schumer switched gears.

The New York Times - Arts

The fact that the young woman in the photograph might be squandering her youth and beauty on hedonism allows a fully prurient relationship to the image, and is worth an unusual amount of money.

The New Yorker

That means recognising the need to reassure foreigners, notably the IMF, that any money they might in future lend to Russia would not be squandered or stolen.

The Economist

It must not be squandered.

The New York Times

This moment must not be squandered.

The New York Times

Otherwise the bonanza would be squandered.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required for your writing. While "might be squandered" is generally suitable for most contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "dissipated" in academic or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "might be squandered". In many cases, active voice can make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "resources might be squandered", consider "we might squander resources".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be squandered" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or contingency related to the action of squandering. It indicates that something valuable is at risk of being wasted or misused, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might be squandered" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey the possibility of something valuable being wasted or misused. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness. While "might be squandered" appears relatively infrequently, it's suitable for general and news contexts. To enhance clarity, specifying what "might be squandered" is always best practice. The neutral register allows for broad use, although formal contexts might benefit from stronger wording. Be aware overuse of the passive voice. Consider alternatives such as "could be wasted" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be wasted

Replaces "might" with "could", indicating a possibility but not necessarily a high probability of being wasted.

potentially wasted

Uses "potentially" to explicitly state the possibility of waste.

may be lost

Substitutes "squandered" with "lost", implying a passive disappearance rather than active mismanagement.

could be frittered away

Replaces "squandered" with "frittered away", emphasizing the gradual and careless wasting of resources.

subject to being wasted

Indicates that the resources are prone to being wasted.

risk being wasted

Highlights the risk aspect of the resources, suggesting that the outcome is uncertain.

in danger of being squandered

Adds the element of danger, highlighting a threat of being wasted.

liable to be misused

Emphasizes the improper use of something rather than simply losing it.

susceptible to being squandered

Uses "susceptible" to highlight the vulnerability of the resource being wasted.

at risk of dissipation

Uses a more formal term, "dissipation", to suggest a gradual disappearance or reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "might be squandered" in a sentence?

You can use "might be squandered" to express the possibility of wasting something valuable. For example, "If we don't invest wisely, our profits "might be squandered"".

What are some alternatives to "might be squandered"?

Alternatives include "could be wasted", "may be lost", or "could be frittered away" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "might be squandered" and "might be wasted"?

"Might be wasted" is a more general term for losing something valuable. "Might be squandered" implies a more careless or foolish kind of waste, often suggesting mismanagement or lack of foresight.

Is it more appropriate to use "might be squandered" or "could be squandered"?

Both "might be squandered" and "could be squandered" are grammatically correct and express a similar level of possibility. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Might" suggests a slightly lower probability than "could" but is an insignificant difference.