was squandered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was squandered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of wasting something, typically resources, time, or opportunities, in a careless manner. Example: "The funds allocated for the project were squandered on unnecessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was squandered.

The Economist

That and more was squandered in Iraq.

The New Yorker

The oil money was squandered.

The Guardian

The first such opportunity was squandered, though.

The New York Times - Sports

That was when the regime's opportunity was squandered".

Independent

So much of that was squandered during the Bush years.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, that was squandered," she says without pointing fingers.

The New York Times

In the second they became stretched, the passes became longer and possession was squandered.

Independent

Their early brilliance was squandered on bad teams, which they eventually carried to the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

But the advantage was squandered late as Jamaica scored on a free kick.

The New York Times - Sports

Much of the international good will gained over the previous decade was squandered.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was squandered" to emphasize that something valuable was lost due to poor management or carelessness. It carries a stronger connotation of irresponsibility than simpler alternatives like "was lost".

Common error

While "was squandered" is suitable for many situations, avoid it in extremely formal or technical writing where a more neutral term like "was inefficiently utilized" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was squandered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (e.g., resources, opportunities) was acted upon in a wasteful or careless manner. As Ludwig AI indicates, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was squandered" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey that something of value has been wasted or misused, often implying a sense of regret or criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts, reflecting its use in analyzing and critiquing events and decisions. While versatile, writers should consider the context and register to ensure the tone is appropriate. Alternatives like "was wasted" or "was lost" may be suitable depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase has a high score on authoritative sources and is considered valid for use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was wasted

Focuses on the act of using something carelessly or extravagantly, resulting in loss.

was thrown away

Emphasizes the complete loss and lack of value derived from something.

was frittered away

Suggests a gradual and foolish wasting of resources, often money or time.

was misused

Highlights the inappropriate or ineffective use of something.

was misspent

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

was dissipated

Implies a scattering or dissolving of something valuable, like energy or resources.

was recklessly spent

Highlights the careless and irresponsible nature of the spending.

was improvidently used

Emphasizes a lack of foresight and prudence in the use of resources.

was lost

Indicates a failure to capitalize on or retain something of value.

went down the drain

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete and irreversible loss.

FAQs

How is "was squandered" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was squandered" is used to describe something of value, such as money, time, or opportunity, that has been wasted or used unwisely. For example, "The opportunity "was squandered" due to poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "was squandered"?

You can use alternatives such as "was wasted", "was frittered away", or "was lost" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Was squandered" implies a greater degree of carelessness or mismanagement than "was wasted". Squandering suggests a lack of responsibility or foresight in how something was used.

Is it correct to say "the opportunity was squandered"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "The opportunity "was squandered"" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a chance or possibility was lost due to mismanagement or neglect.