squander them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "squander them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to wasting resources, opportunities, or time that could have been used more effectively. Example: "If you continue to squander them, you'll regret not taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But this time let's not squander them.

The Guardian - Opinion

People are jealous of their freedoms; yet they squander them.

The Economist

So don't squander them on matters of no consequence.

The New Yorker

No one ever came in to squander them.

The New York Times - Style

One of the things we owe them is not to squander them".

Independent

But they keep moving on from their victories too, which is why they squander them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Instead, Trump is squandering them.

The New York Times

"And then we squandered them.

The Guardian

A shame that everyone has squandered them.

The Economist

Berdych has three set points and squanders them.

The Guardian - Sport

She squandered them and died more or less in poverty, in 1980.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "squander them", ensure the context clearly identifies what "them" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "squander them" when the items being squandered haven't been explicitly named or are unclear in the preceding text. This can confuse readers and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "squander them" functions as a verb phrase, where "squander" is a transitive verb requiring an object, and "them" serves as the pronoun representing that object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English. Examples show it used to describe wasting resources, opportunities, or time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "squander them" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the wasteful or inefficient use of resources, opportunities, or time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. With a neutral to slightly formal tone, it's often found in News & Media, but remains appropriate for varied contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure "them" has a clear referent. Alternatives include "waste them" and "misuse them". Be cautious about ambiguous referents to maximize understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waste them

Focuses on the act of using something carelessly or inefficiently.

misuse them

Highlights the inappropriate or incorrect use of something.

fritter them away

Emphasizes the gradual and often foolish wasting of resources.

dissipate them

Suggests a scattering or vanishing of resources.

throw them away

Implies a complete disregard for the value of something.

lose them

Focuses on the negative result of not preserving or taking care of them.

blow them

Suggests a quick and often reckless loss of something.

not capitalize on them

Highlights the failure to take advantage of opportunities.

fail to utilize them

Emphasizes the lack of proper use or application.

neglect them

Stresses the lack of attention or care, leading to waste.

FAQs

How can I use "squander them" in a sentence?

You can use "squander them" to describe wasting resources or opportunities, such as: "If you continue to "squander them", you'll regret not taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you."

What's a formal alternative to "squander them"?

A more formal alternative to "squander them" would be "dissipate them" or "misuse them", depending on the specific context. "Dissipate them" suggests a gradual wasting, while "misuse them" implies improper or incorrect use.

Is it correct to say "squander it" instead of "squander them"?

Yes, but the correct form depends on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun. Use "squander it" for a singular noun and "squander them" for plural nouns or when referring to a group of things.

What does "fritter them away" mean, and how does it compare to "squander them"?

"Fritter them away" is similar to "squander them", but it often emphasizes a more gradual and perhaps less deliberate waste. While both imply wasting something valuable, "fritter them away" suggests smaller amounts wasted over time.