did not waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not waste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone made efficient use of time, resources, or opportunities without squandering them. Example: "She did not waste any time preparing for the exam, studying diligently every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Germany did not waste the resulting possession.

The New York Times - Sports

Saul did not waste any motion.

The New York Times

The Patriots did not waste the call.

The New York Times - Sports

McNabb did not waste time taking advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not waste the opportunity.

The New York Times

North Korea did not waste its opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

I did not waste any ammunition, I can assure you".

The New York Times

Werth got his chance, and he did not waste it.

The New York Times - Sports

So Brosius did not waste a second before celebrating.

The New York Times - Sports

"She did not waste time on pickles," I say.

The New Yorker

They did not waste a day in doing so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with specific nouns or verbs to specify what was not wasted (e.g., "did not waste time", "did not waste resources")

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "did not waste" can make writing sound stiff. In informal settings, consider more conversational alternatives like "made the most of" or "jumped at the chance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not waste" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something made efficient use of a resource, time, or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts to emphasize efficiency and proactive utilization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not waste" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, conveying the efficient use of resources or opportunities. As noted by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its versatility across various writing styles. While "did not waste" is appropriate for many situations, consider using synonyms like "made good use of" or "capitalized on" in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone. Always be mindful of context to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't squander

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes preventing loss or misuse.

made good use of

Focuses on positive utilization rather than avoiding waste.

used efficiently

Focuses on the effectiveness of resource utilization.

capitalized on

Emphasizes taking advantage of an opportunity effectively.

took full advantage of

Highlights maximizing the benefits from something.

didn't let slip

Focuses on retaining a resource or opportunity without losing it.

optimized

Implies making something as effective as possible.

seized the opportunity

Highlights promptly acting on a favorable situation.

profited from

Focuses on gaining benefits from efficient use.

leveraged

Implies using something to maximum advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "did not waste" in a sentence?

You can use "did not waste" to describe the efficient use of resources or opportunities. For example, "She "did not waste" the opportunity to study abroad and excelled in her courses."

What are some alternatives to "did not waste"?

Alternatives include "made good use of", "capitalized on", or "took full advantage of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "did not waste" or "didn't waste"?

Both "did not waste" and "didn't waste" are grammatically correct. "Didn't waste" is more informal due to the contraction, while "did not waste" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "did not waste" and "avoided wasting"?

"Did not waste" implies a positive action of utilizing something effectively, while "avoided wasting" focuses on preventing something from being used inefficiently. For example, "She "did not waste" her time studying" emphasizes efficient use, while "She avoided wasting her time" emphasizes preventing unproductive activities.