a drain of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drain of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or resource that is being depleted or exhausted, often in terms of energy, resources, or finances. Example: "The constant demands of the project have become a drain of our team's energy and motivation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The market easily absorbed a drain of $10 billion a month through year end 2017.

Forbes

It really shows a drain of values.

The Guardian - Music

"There will be a drain of police officers from other areas," he says.

The Guardian

The city could see a drain of its political power as well.

The New York Times

Banks suffering a drain of deposits have had to husband their liquidity.

The Economist

But it also raises anxiety among workers about low pay and a drain of jobs to cheaper locations.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The result has been a draining of resources from the many charities and institutions the nuns helped create.

The New York Times

But you certainly won't get a draining of the swamp in Washington.

Huffington Post

However, the concern is that a very dry 2012 will lead to a draining of the reservoirs this year leaving very little water supply for 2013.

Huffington Post

Except for the use of a drain, all of these independent risk factors are nonmodifiable.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

They held his head in a drain full of sewage until he inhaled it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drain of" to describe the depletion of resources such as talent, funds, or energy within a specific context, ensuring the noun following "of" accurately reflects what is being diminished.

Common error

Avoid using "a drain of" when referring to something that is merely being used or allocated, rather than depleted. "Utilizing" or "allocating" is more appropriate when the resource is not being reduced in overall availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drain of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a depletion or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting examples like "a drain of talent" or "a drain of resources".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drain of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the depletion or reduction of something, such as resources, talent, or funds. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatile usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While often carrying a negative connotation by implying loss, the phrase itself is neutral, and its appropriateness depends on the context. Alternatives such as "a depletion of" or "a loss of" can be used to add nuance. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a depletion of

Highlights the reduction in quantity or availability.

a loss of

Emphasizes the disappearance or unavailability of something previously possessed.

an outflow of

Focuses on the movement of something out of a system or entity.

a reduction in

Indicates a decrease in amount or size.

a decrease in

Implies a gradual decline in value or amount.

an attrition of

Suggests a gradual weakening or wearing away, often over time.

an erosion of

Indicates a gradual destruction or diminution.

a haemorrhage of

Implies a severe and rapid loss, often in a figurative sense.

a leakage of

Suggests a slow, often unintended, outflow or loss.

a squandering of

Emphasizes the wasteful or foolish loss of something valuable.

FAQs

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

Use "a drain of" to describe a reduction or depletion of something. For example, "The project resulted in a drain of resources" or "There's a drain of talent from the company".

What's a good alternative to "a drain of"?

Alternatives include /s/a+depletion+of, /s/a+loss+of, or /s/an+outflow+of, depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a drain of"?

While often negative, implying a loss or depletion, the phrase itself is neutral. The context determines the negativity, depending on what's being described and its impact. For example, describing something as "a drain of public education funds" is inherently negative.

What's the difference between "a drain of" and "a drain on"?

"A drain of" describes the actual depletion or reduction, while "a drain on" refers to something that causes the depletion. For instance, "The war was a drain on resources, resulting in a drain of supplies".