be better employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be better employed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the more effective or appropriate use of resources, skills, or time. Example: "In this project, your skills would be better employed in a leadership role rather than as a support staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

I work alongside some colleagues who perhaps would be better employed in other areas.

Independent

I think the skills that you hired me for might be better employed in a different task.

The Guardian

"Instead of pursuing their peaceful online critics, Saudi officials would be better employed in carrying out much-needed reforms".

The New Yorker

The idea that judges would be better employed kowtowing to the executive is shameful heresy from political pygmies".

The Guardian

Last month the Club for Growth withdrew from the campaign, apparently deciding its resources could be better employed elsewhere.

The Economist

Thus, the resources devoted to countering price fluctuations and compensatory financing might be better employed in investments or technical assistance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The unimpressive 3D used throughout would have been better employed for the Underland scenes alone.

The Guardian - Film

(standupmaths) "Thousands of scientists buried under a Swiss mountain might have been better employed on energy research".

The Guardian

"Every dollar spent on drug treatment is better employed reducing crime than one spent building prisons," said Mr Mauer.

The Guardian

Those brains, he suggests, might have been better employed working out how to fix Vietnam's rickety banks.

The Economist

The surprise is that these technologies have been better employed explaining animal behavior on the African savannah than exploring human behavior in more corporate environments.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be better employed", ensure the context clearly indicates what the resources or skills are being used for, and what alternative use would be more beneficial. This clarifies the advantage of reallocation.

Common error

Avoid using "be better employed" without specifying the alternative. For example, instead of saying 'These funds could be better employed,' specify 'These funds could be better employed in infrastructure development'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be better employed" functions as a verb phrase used to express the idea that resources, skills, or personnel could be used more effectively in a different capacity. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase indicates a potential for improved allocation or application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be better employed" is a versatile expression used to suggest that resources, skills, or personnel could achieve more effective results if allocated differently. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific publications. Its usage implies a desire for improved efficiency and strategic resource allocation. Common contexts include discussions around public policy, business strategy, and personal development. While adaptable, the phrase benefits from clear specification of the alternative use to avoid ambiguity. Based on Ludwig, the phrase conveys a professional and neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be more effectively utilized

Focuses on efficient use; emphasizes effectiveness.

be more suitably applied

Highlights appropriateness; emphasizes suitability.

be more wisely used

Emphasizes judgment; highlights wisdom in allocation.

be more profitably invested

Stresses financial return; highlights investment benefits.

be more advantageously allocated

Focuses on strategic benefit; emphasizes advantageous allocation.

be more optimally deployed

Highlights ideal placement; emphasizes optimal deployment.

be more strategically positioned

Emphasizes strategic placement; highlights positioning benefits.

be more appropriately assigned

Focuses on relevance; emphasizes suitable assignment.

be more fruitfully engaged

Highlights productive involvement; emphasizes fruitful engagement.

be more productively harnessed

Emphasizes harnessing potential; highlights productive use.

FAQs

How can I use "be better employed" in a sentence?

Use "be better employed" to suggest that resources, skills, or time could be used more effectively in a different activity or area. For instance, "The company's resources might "be better employed" in research and development."

What are some alternatives to "be better employed"?

You can use alternatives like "be more effectively utilized", "be more suitably applied", or "be more wisely used" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be better employed" or "could be better employed"?

Both "be better employed" and "could be better employed" are correct, but "could be better employed" implies a suggestion or possibility, while "be better employed" can express a more direct opinion or recommendation. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.

What does it mean when someone says resources could "be better employed" elsewhere?

It means that the person believes those resources are not being used as efficiently or effectively as they could be and that allocating them to a different area or activity would yield better results.