wasted opportunities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wasted opportunities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to chances or possibilities that were not taken advantage of, often implying regret or loss. Example: "Looking back on my career, I realize how many wasted opportunities I had to advance my skills and network."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither one touched Leonard Bernstein's "I Hate Music," one of many models for this sort of thing; both came off as wasted opportunities.

The New York Times - Arts

Bath, meanwhile, are sick of wasted opportunities.

The Guardian - Sport

Those left in Oh's wake talked of wasted opportunities.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a wasted opportunities for these families".

The Guardian

Failure to cooperate effectively has imposed a heavy cost in wasted opportunities.

The New York Times

He scored 14 of England's points with calm goal-kicking while the Italians wasted opportunities.

The New York Times - Sports

So many wasted opportunities, so many rambling questions, so few supplementary questions.

The Guardian - Business

It was greeted with near-universal dismay because of the wasted opportunities to make a difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they won despite a multitude of mistakes, from wasted opportunities to base-running blunders.

The New York Times - Sports

Many said they had wasted opportunities in childhood that would have saved them later.

The New York Times

While the Brewers got the most out of their 10 hits, the Reds again wasted opportunities.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing past events or decisions, use "wasted opportunities" to highlight moments where better choices could have led to more favorable outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "wasted opportunities" in situations where the potential loss is minor or inconsequential. Reserve it for situations with significant, demonstrable negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wasted opportunities" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes instances where potential advantages or chances were not utilized effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and recognizability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wasted opportunities" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where potential chances or advantages were not effectively utilized. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its suitability across various contexts, primarily in news and media, expressing regret or criticism. While alternatives like "missed chances" or "lost potential" exist, "wasted opportunities" specifically implies negligence or poor decision-making. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations with significant negative consequences to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed chances

Emphasizes the failure to capitalize on potential opportunities.

lost potential

Highlights the unrealized possibilities that could have been achieved.

squandered resources

Focuses on the misuse or inefficient use of available resources.

unutilized possibilities

Stresses that the opportunities were available but not taken advantage of.

forfeited advantages

Indicates that existing advantages were lost due to inaction or poor decisions.

passed-up prospects

Refers to prospects that were available but were not pursued.

neglected avenues

Focuses on paths or approaches that were ignored or overlooked.

underdeveloped assets

Highlights the failure to fully develop or utilize existing assets.

unexploited openings

Stresses that clear openings or chances were not taken advantage of.

unseized moments

Focuses on specific moments that presented opportunities but were not acted upon.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "wasted opportunities" in a sentence?

Use "wasted opportunities" to express regret or criticism about chances that were not taken or utilized effectively. For example, "The company's failure to invest in new technology represents a series of "wasted opportunities" for growth".

What are some alternatives to "wasted opportunities"?

You can use alternatives such as "missed chances", "lost potential", or "squandered resources" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "wasted opportunities" and "missed opportunities"?

While similar, "wasted opportunities" often implies a sense of negligence or poor decision-making that led to the loss, whereas "missed opportunities" can simply mean the chances were not taken, without necessarily implying fault.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "wasted opportunities"?

It's appropriate when discussing business failures, political missteps, personal regrets, or any situation where the failure to act on available chances resulted in significant negative consequences. Avoid using it for trivial situations.