a great waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is unproductive or not worth the time spent on it. Example: "After attending the meeting, I realized it was a great waste of time, as no decisions were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As Henry wanly observes at one point in the book: "Travel can be a great waste of time".

The Guardian

Many classic recipes say to butter the mold once, put it in the freezer and then butter it again -- a great waste of time.

The New York Times - Food

Forcing the government to take scientists off their lab benches to testify in court is a great waste of time and money — and unlikely to change the outcome of many, if any, trials.

The New Yorker

Some people may feel inclined to sit around and do nothing, but this is a great waste of time.

WikiHow

Doing homework can also be a great waste of time, and when you're done, a lot of people like to go to sleep after that.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At the end of the day I am left with the impression that this has been much ado about very little and a great waste of energy, time and money.

BBC

Here are three specific solutions to overcome Thomas L. Friedman's depiction of President Bush's second term as "The Great Waste of Time": Make computer literacy a graduation requirement from junior high school; tax all wages, not just those up to $90,000, to resolve the Social Security problem; make Medicare eligibility progressive, as in taxes.

The New York Times

It's a big waste of time.

TechCrunch

At a rally in Henderson, Nevada, earlier this month, Trump told supporters: "If I don't win, this will be the greatest waste of time, money and energy in my lifetime, by a factor of 100".

The Guardian

John Kenneth Galbraith, the economist who devised the phrase "the conventional wisdom," once told me that following sports was the second greatest waste of time known to America, after daytime television.

The New Yorker

After casting his vote, Trump now has a few presumably stressful-as-fuck hours to blow before his campaign party starts at 6 30 PM. "If we don't win," Trump said Monday at his final campaign stop in western Michigan, "this will be the single greatest waste of time, energy, and money in my life".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a great waste of time", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the activity or situation is unproductive or without value. Provide specific reasons to strengthen your point.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "a great waste of time" without explaining why. Back up your claim with evidence or reasoning to make your argument more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great waste of time" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a predicative complement, describing something as unproductive or worthless. Ludwig shows it is used to express disapproval or regret about how time has been spent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great waste of time" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to convey that something is unproductive, inefficient, or lacking in value. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase expressing a negative evaluation and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's most frequently found in news and media sources. To use the phrase effectively, always provide clear context as to why something is considered "a great waste of time". Remember to consider alternative phrases like "a complete waste of time" or "a total waste of time" for similar but nuanced meanings. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is suitable for use, but thoughtful application will maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete waste of time

Emphasizes the utter lack of value or benefit derived.

a total waste of time

Similar to "complete waste", highlighting the entirety of wasted time.

a sheer waste of time

Highlights the unadulterated nature of the wasted time.

an utter waste of time

Stresses the absolute and total futility of the time spent.

a fruitless endeavor

Focuses on the lack of positive results from the time invested.

a pointless exercise

Highlights the lack of purpose or meaning in the activity.

a futile activity

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness and lack of success.

a dead loss

Indicates a total failure and loss of invested time.

time down the drain

Highlights the wasted nature of the time, as if it's irretrievable.

spinning your wheels

Suggests expending effort without making any real progress.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a great waste of time"?

You can use alternatives like "a complete waste of time", "a total waste of time", or "a fruitless endeavor depending on the context.

How to use "a great waste of time" in a sentence?

Use "a great waste of time" to describe an activity or situation that is unproductive, inefficient, or does not yield any positive results. For example, "Attending that conference was a great waste of time; I learned nothing new."

What is the difference between "a great waste of time" and "a waste of time"?

The addition of "great" emphasizes the magnitude or extent of the wasted time. "A great waste of time" suggests a more significant loss of time compared to simply "a waste of time".

Is "a great waste of time" a formal or informal expression?

"A great waste of time" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of your audience and purpose, and consider using more precise or nuanced language depending on the situation.