a waste of money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a waste of money" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to express disapproval or dissatisfaction with someone or something's expensive cost, with the implication being that the cost is unjustified or not worth it. For example, "John thought that buying a new car was a waste of money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a waste of money".

The New York Times

Seems like a waste of money.

The New York Times

Otherwise, it is a waste of money.

The New Yorker

SIR — What a waste of money.

The Economist

Thinks it's a waste of money.

The New York Times

Or are they a waste of money?

The New Yorker

They are mostly a waste of money.

Harvard University

What a waste of money and time.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a waste of money," she said.

The New York Times

"Videos seemed like a waste of money.

The Guardian - Music

What was a waste of money?

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a waste of money", be specific about why the expenditure is considered wasteful. Providing context or reasons strengthens your argument and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid casually labeling expenditures as "a waste of money" without providing any supporting evidence or reasoning. This can come across as dismissive and fail to convince your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a waste of money" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. It identifies something as an unproductive or unwise expenditure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a waste of money" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote disapproval of an expenditure considered unproductive or unwise. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, with examples spanning diverse contexts from News & Media to Academia. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. While frequently used, it's important to provide justification when labeling something as "a waste of money" to strengthen your argument. Alternatives such as "money down the drain" or "an unproductive expense" can be used depending on the specific context, so it's important to ensure appropriateness depending on your intent and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

money down the drain

A more idiomatic expression emphasizing the irreversible loss of money.

throwing money away

A more direct and forceful way of saying money is being wasted.

an unproductive expense

Focuses on the lack of positive results or benefits from the expenditure.

an unwise expenditure

Suggests a lack of careful consideration or judgment in spending the money.

a fruitless investment

Emphasizes the failure to gain returns or profit from the money spent.

a bad investment

Highlights the negative outcome of investing money, suggesting loss rather than gain.

a pointless outlay

Focuses on the lack of a meaningful purpose or result from the expenditure.

a poor allocation of funds

Highlights the mismanagement or misdirection of financial resources.

a frivolous expense

Implies the money was spent on something trivial or unimportant.

an extravagance

Suggests that the expenditure was unnecessarily lavish or luxurious.

FAQs

How can I use "a waste of money" in a sentence?

You can use "a waste of money" to express disapproval of an expenditure you deem unproductive. For example, "I think buying that gadget is "a waste of money" since we already have a similar device".

What are some alternatives to saying "a waste of money"?

Alternatives include "money down the drain", "an unproductive expense", or "a bad investment", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a waste of money" or "an inefficient use of funds"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "an inefficient use of funds" might be more appropriate in formal or professional settings, while "a waste of money" is suitable for more casual communication.

What's the difference between "a waste of money" and "a luxury"?

"A waste of money" implies that an expenditure is unproductive or unwise, while "a luxury" simply means something is non-essential and enjoyable, but potentially expensive. Whether a luxury is "a waste of money" is subjective and depends on individual priorities.