squandered prospects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "squandered prospects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe opportunities or potential that have been wasted or misused. Example: "After years of poor management, the company faced the consequences of its squandered prospects, leading to significant financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Trump squandered the prospect of a unified front of fair-trade countries and an opportunity to leverage these vulnerabilities.

Forbes

To secure a brilliant and conspicuous success today he was ready to squander the prospects of the future, if, indeed, he had the power of forecasting them.

Wikipedia

Congress and the White House also squandered a chance to try to improve workers' earnings prospects when they let right-to-organize legislation die years ago.

The New York Times

Yet as the public became increasingly disenchanted with the government's handling of the NHS and more pessimistic about its prospects, Labour squandered its huge historic lead as the party most trusted to run the health service.The publicly funded NHS is an iconic institution for Labour, which brought it into being after the second world war.

The Economist

Although it has the potential of becoming a major player on the global stage, Turkey's brilliant prospects are being squandered because of President Erdogan's insatiable lust for power.

HuffPost

Not only does this supress fertility rates, it forces many women who have children to take long gaps from employment or choose part-time work - resulting in poor career prospects for them & squandered potential for the economy writ large.

Huffington Post

Salespeople frequently squander the chance to get introductions by not clearly explaining the exact type of prospect they're looking to meet.

Huffington Post

That's why, before even entertaining the prospect of a gas tax hike, lawmakers should first make sure current taxpayer dollars are not being squandered, as Vos admits is happening.

Forbes

"We squandered it.

Independent

Another opportunity squandered.

The New York Times - Sports

They have squandered it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "squandered prospects" when you want to convey a sense of regret or missed potential due to mismanagement or neglect.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when describing "squandered prospects". Instead of saying "The prospects were squandered", try "They squandered the prospects" to make your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "squandered prospects" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "squandered" acts as a past participle adjective modifying the noun "prospects". It describes potential opportunities or possibilities that have been wasted or mismanaged. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "squandered prospects" is a noun phrase used to describe missed or wasted opportunities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it is frequently used in formal contexts to express disappointment or criticism, mainly from news media, where opportunities were wasted. Alternative phrases, such as "wasted opportunities" or "lost potential", can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Although not very common, understanding its usage can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

squandered potential

Synonymous change of words that emphasize on the squandering of something that could have led to great things.

wasted opportunities

Focuses on the opportunities that were not utilized effectively.

missed chances

Emphasizes the failure to seize available opportunities.

lost potential

Highlights the unrealized capabilities or possibilities.

dissipated opportunities

Highlights how the opportunity have been dispersed or scattered

forfeited future

Suggests a future that was given up or lost due to inaction.

neglected opportunities

Highlights the opportunities that were ignored.

frittered away possibilities

Indicates that possibilities were wasted in a careless manner.

wasted advantages

Highlights the advantages that did not translate into achievements.

underutilized opportunities

Highlights the oppotunities that were used ineffectively.

FAQs

How can I use "squandered prospects" in a sentence?

You can use "squandered prospects" to describe situations where potential opportunities were wasted. For instance, "The company's "squandered prospects" led to its downfall."

What are some alternatives to "squandered prospects"?

Alternatives include "wasted opportunities", "missed chances", or "lost potential" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to say that someone "squandered their prospects"?

It means they wasted their opportunities and potential, often through poor decisions or lack of effort. This usually implies a negative outcome as a result of this waste.

Is "squandered prospects" formal or informal language?

"Squandered prospects" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in formal writing or speech where a more sophisticated vocabulary is appropriate.