can be wasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be wasted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be squandered or used inefficiently. Example: "Time can be wasted if we do not plan our activities effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yes, regrettably, some aid can be wasted.

The Guardian - Opinion

So much time can be wasted walking about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A great pitch can be wasted if you don't conclude by suggesting the next step.

The New York Times

Depending on the style of your home, some 20% of heating energy can be wasted through single-glazed windows.

The Guardian - Money

Each time the artisan heats the dial to fix a ball, all his previous work can be wasted as the balls can melt and the dial collapse".

The New York Times

"The cinema industry is now suffering so much in this financial crisis that not a single minute of filming can be wasted," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Our business will be waste free; your home can be waste free too".

Huffington Post

If a guy in that position can be wasting energy and having moments of misery in their life, then the world is seriously broken".

Vice

Mr. Dunham, 24, was attending Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., in 2001 when a news article inspired him to convert an earlier car, a 1985 Golf diesel, to run on S.V.O., which can be waste or new vegetable oil.

The New York Times

As it can be waste of money.

WikiHow

"Large amounts of money and investigative time can potentially be wasted investigating these threat letters.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing resource allocation, use "can be wasted" to highlight potential inefficiencies or mismanagements. Be specific about what resources are at risk and the potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions with "can be wasted". Active voice often makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Time can be wasted on social media", try "You can waste time on social media".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be wasted" functions as a passive modal construction, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be used inefficiently or squandered. It suggests that a resource, opportunity, or effort has the capacity to be lost or not fully utilized. Ludwig's examples highlight this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Huffington Post

6%

The Guardian

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be wasted" is a versatile expression used to highlight the potential for resources, time, or opportunities to be used inefficiently. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, signaling a need for better management and awareness. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider more direct, active alternatives for stronger impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, serving as a valuable tool for discussing potential inefficiencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be squandered

Replaces "wasted" with "squandered", emphasizing the careless loss of something valuable.

could be misused

Highlights the possibility of using something inappropriately or for the wrong purpose.

can be misspent

Focuses on the possibility of spending something unwisely.

may be lost

Focuses on the potential for something to disappear or be rendered unusable.

might be frittered away

Suggests that something is being used in a trivial or wasteful manner.

may go down the drain

Uses an idiom to suggest that something will be lost or wasted.

could be thrown away

Emphasizes the potential for something to be discarded or rejected.

can go to naught

Emphasizes that something may result in nothing or be unsuccessful.

might be dissipated

Focuses on the idea of something being scattered or dispersed in a wasteful way.

can be consumed

Highlights that the item it's being used can be consumed.

FAQs

How can I use "can be wasted" in a sentence?

You can use "can be wasted" to indicate that something has the potential to be used inefficiently or squandered, like in the sentence, "Resources "can be wasted" if not managed properly."

What can I say instead of "can be wasted"?

You can use alternatives like "can be squandered", "may be lost", or "could be misused" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be wasted" or "is wasted"?

"Can be wasted" indicates a possibility, while "is wasted" states a fact. Use "can be wasted" when discussing potential waste and "is wasted" when describing actual waste.

What's the difference between "can be wasted" and "is potentially wasted"?

"Can be wasted" suggests a general possibility of waste. "Is potentially wasted" implies a higher likelihood or a specific situation where waste is likely to occur.