begin to waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to waste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of starting to lose value, time, or resources. Example: "If we don't take action soon, we will begin to waste our precious time on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many need dietary advice: obesity can worsen symptoms, but some with advanced disease lose so much weight that their muscles begin to waste.

The New York Times

The realism that carried the reader in the erratic wake of the small boy and large tiger falters as they begin to waste away and die - and then the book gets seriously strange, with ghostly visitations and impossible islands, as though Martel wants not so much to test our credulity as entirely to annihilate it.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She refuses to eat and begins to waste away.

The New York Times - Books

Desperate and hardly eating, Marinela began to waste away.

The Guardian

In 1983, long-spined sea urchins, then a common Caribbean species, began to waste away; their bony casings soon littered shorelines from Panama to Florida.

The New Yorker

In bed, just a few days after a second knee reconstruction, I could see my right quadriceps had already begun to waste away at an incredible rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The players began to waste time and perpetrate petty fouls that aborted Scotland's momentum at the puny cost of free-kicks far from danger.

The Guardian - Sport

Seven of the rats maintained their weight when fed a lactose-only diet for 2 weeks, while seven other lactose-intolerant rats without the lactase began to waste away on the same diet.

Science Magazine

However, the Pakistani fielders began to waste time in an attempt to foil an Australian victory.

Wikipedia

I even stayed in one with showers that told me when I began to waste too much water.

Huffington Post

She will begin to look wasted and everybody she knows will understand why.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to waste" to describe a gradual decline in health, resources, or opportunities. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being squandered or depleted.

Common error

Avoid using "begin to waste" when a sudden or immediate loss is intended. The phrase suggests a process that unfolds over time, not an instantaneous event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to waste" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the commencement of a process of decline or squandering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples showing its application in contexts ranging from health deterioration to resource depletion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin to waste" is a grammatically sound and usable infinitive phrase used to indicate the commencement of a process of decline, loss, or squandering. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples mostly from News & Media and Science sources. While not extremely frequent, its usage is clear and consistent. Alternatives like "start to squander" or "begin to deplete" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes what is being lost or depreciated over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to squander

Emphasizes the act of carelessly spending or losing something valuable.

begin to deplete

Focuses on the gradual reduction of a supply or resource.

start to deteriorate

Highlights a decline in quality or condition.

begin to decline

Indicates a gradual decrease or weakening.

start to dwindle

Suggests a progressive decrease in size or amount.

start to erode

Implies a gradual wearing away or destruction.

fall into disuse

Highlights the process of something no longer being used.

lapse into decay

Emphasizes a slow decline towards a state of decomposition.

start losing value

Focuses on the depreciation of worth or importance.

begin to run down

Indicates a gradual loss of power, health, or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to waste" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to waste" to describe a gradual decline in resources or opportunities, like in the sentence, "If we don't act soon, we will "begin to waste" our potential."

What are some alternatives to "begin to waste"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "begin to waste" include "start to squander", "begin to deplete", or "start to deteriorate".

Is it correct to say "begin wasting" instead of "begin to waste"?

While "begin wasting" is grammatically correct, it implies a more active and intentional action. "Begin to waste" often suggests a more passive or inevitable process.

What's the difference between "begin to waste" and "start to waste"?

"Begin to waste" and "start to waste" are largely interchangeable, with "begin" sounding slightly more formal than "start".