a vast waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or situation that is perceived as unproductive or not worth the effort. Example: "After spending hours in that meeting, I realized it was just a vast waste of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A vast waste of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a vast waste of time and resources.The government knows that there is a problem.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of course, the best way to eliminate the vast waste of time and energy that is our daily commuting traffic jam is to rethink and rework urban and regional mass transit.

The New York Times

16. "It's a vast waste of space".

Independent

But an awful lot of what happens strikes me as a vast waste of resources.

The Guardian

A small part of the population will get into it, of course, but for the vast majority, it's a waste of time, resources and money". Toney said he preferred one-time, structural fixes like appliance energy standards and building weatherization programs.

The New York Times

They are a waste of time, a waste of space and a waste of money.

The Guardian - Opinion

The author Hanif Kureishi has rubbished creative writing courses as a "waste of time", saying that the vast majority of students taking them – including many of his own pupils – are "talentless".

Independent

A complete waste of time.

The New York Times

"A terrific waste of time.

Independent

What a precious waste of time.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vast waste of time", consider the context and whether a more specific description of the activity or situation would be more impactful. For example, instead of saying "The meeting was a vast waste of time", try "The meeting, filled with irrelevant discussions, accomplished nothing of substance".

Common error

While "a vast waste of time" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language to convey the specific reasons for the inefficiency or lack of productivity. Alternatives like "inefficient use of resources" or "unproductive expenditure of time" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast waste of time" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object. It describes something considered unproductive or inefficient. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a vast waste of time" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something unproductive or inefficient. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, though can be used in some formal business settings. While there are several alternative phrases, being more descriptive may add more impact. When writing, avoid overuse in formal writing and instead, opt for more descriptive language to convey specific reasons. Remember that 'vast' amplifies 'waste of time', and so the phrase implies a great deal of wasted effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a colossal time sink

Replaces "waste" with "time sink" and uses "colossal" to emphasize the large scale of wasted time.

a monumental drain on time

Substitutes "waste" with "drain" and uses "monumental" to highlight the significant impact on time.

a significant squandering of time

Replaces "waste" with "squandering" to emphasize the irresponsible use of time and uses "significant" to highlight the importance.

a considerable loss of time

Uses "loss" instead of "waste" and employs "considerable" to denote a substantial amount of time wasted.

an egregious dissipation of time

Replaces "waste" with "dissipation" to convey a sense of wasteful spending of time, with "egregious" emphasizing the negativity.

a large-scale futility

Emphasizes the pointlessness of the activity, replacing the focus on time with the overall lack of value.

a grand exercise in uselessness

Highlights the lack of practical value, using stronger, more judgmental language.

a sizable temporal extravagance

Focuses on the excessive use of time in a wasteful manner, employing more formal vocabulary.

a sweeping inefficiency

Shifts the focus to the inefficiency of the process rather than just the waste of time.

a major temporal misallocation

Highlights the incorrect or inappropriate use of time, implying that it could be better spent elsewhere.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "a vast waste of time"?

You can use alternatives like "a colossal time sink", "a monumental drain on time", or "a significant squandering of time" depending on the context.

How can I use "a vast waste of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast waste of time" to describe an activity or situation that is unproductive or not worth the effort. For example, "Sitting in traffic every morning is a vast waste of time".

Is "a vast waste of time" too informal for academic writing?

While acceptable, "a vast waste of time" might be perceived as informal in academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives such as "inefficient allocation of resources" or "unproductive expenditure of time".

What's the difference between "a waste of time" and "a vast waste of time"?

Adding "vast" emphasizes the magnitude of the wasted time, indicating that the activity is significantly unproductive or inefficient compared to just "a waste of time".