a drain for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drain for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that consumes resources, energy, or attention, often in a negative context. Example: "The project turned out to be a drain for our financial resources, leaving us with little to invest in other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"And I felt like almost, like I was going down a drain for a few moments".

The New York Times

Defenseless under the storm's ravages, the Brooklyn-Battery instead served as a drain for Lower Manhattan, filling with nearly 100 million gallons of water.

The New York Times

Second, gold stocks were relatively well balanced across the rich world, and so most economies could handle a drain for some time without triggering fears of looming devaluations.

The Economist

The media storm surrounding Sienna Miller's complicated love life isn't just a drain for her, it's also causing the dainty star's publicity team at the Public Eye agency no end of headaches.

Independent

When playing at Sydney against an invitation XI in the last warm-up match before the Ashes he bowled like a drain for most of it but still took eight wickets.

Independent

So the company makes an interior suited for windsurfers, with Neoprene-covered seats, a marine-grade rubber floor liner, storage racks for boards and a storage compartment with a drain for wet gear.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I think most generally accept that Sarbanes-Oxley has been a bit of a resource drain for many companies.

The Economist

Major complications are rare: 1 case of CSF leakage that was treated successfully by a lumbar drain for 7 days in a series of 13 patients.

Acta Neurochirurgica

That could mean a brain drain for companies losing experienced employees, and another drain on both Social Security and Medicare. .

Huffington Post

Even with these stitches, we maintain a suction drain for 12 h.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

One patient had to be treated with a lumbar drain for 7 days because of CSF fistula.

Acta Neurochirurgica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a drain for", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being depleted or negatively impacted. For instance, specify whether it's a financial, emotional, or physical resource.

Common error

Avoid using "a drain for" without specifying what is being drained. Saying something is "a drain" without clarifying the resource being affected (e.g., finances, energy, time) can lead to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drain for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes something that acts as a cause of depletion or expenditure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drain for" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something that depletes resources or energy. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it often carries a negative connotation, indicating something undesirable. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans from news and media to scientific contexts, though it tends to be slightly more formal. Consider alternatives like "a strain on" or "a burden on" for nuanced expression and avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying what resource is being affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strain on

This alternative emphasizes the pressure or burden caused by something.

a burden on

This alternative highlights the weight or difficulty associated with something.

a depletion of

This focuses on the reduction or exhaustion of a resource.

a resource drain

This directly refers to the loss of resources.

a source of expenditure for

This alternative highlights the spending aspect involved.

a cause of loss for

This alternative highlights the negative outcome of losing something.

a financial liability to

This is a more specific alternative, focusing on financial burdens.

a heavy user of

This refers to a high consumption without the negative conotation.

a siphon for

This evokes the image of resources being drawn away steadily.

an expenditure on

This emphasizes the act of spending or using something up.

FAQs

How can I use "a drain for" in a sentence?

You can use "a drain for" to describe something that depletes resources. For example, "The constant repairs became a drain for our savings."

What can I say instead of "a drain for"?

You can use alternatives like "a strain on", "a burden on", or "a resource drain" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a drain on" or "a drain for"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "a drain on" is generally more common and versatile. "A drain for" often implies a specific purpose or direction of depletion.

Can "a drain for" have a positive connotation?

While typically negative, "a drain for" can sometimes be neutral if it simply describes something that channels resources, without implying a loss. However, this usage is less common.