expendable commodity

USAGE SUMMARY

'expendable commodity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to goods that are meant to be used up and then replaced, such as consumable supplies or temporary tools. For example, "Paper clips and staples are expendable commodities in most offices, as they are used up quickly and then need to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As for the effect of this continuous decline on staff, Chisholm believes JP sees journalists as "an expendable commodity", so "it is not surprising that staff morale is the lowest in the industry".

The Guardian

If women all too often find status only in the dangerous and expendable commodity of sexual attractiveness, then in getting pregnant, Juno would seem to have catastrophically abandoned this one tiny prerogative, and looked stupid into the bargain.

The Guardian - Film

It said that children -- small, agile and relatively powerless -- are "widely perceived to be a cheap and expendable commodity," and that lighter-weight weapons make it easier to arm them.

The New York Times

The bottom line is that we need to treat water as a precious natural resource, rather than an expendable commodity to be exploited without reference to environmental sustainability.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They are expendable commodities.

The New York Times - Sports

Downsizing and re-engineering made it clear that employees were expendable commodities, not valued resources.

The New York Times - Magazine

One bad idea, that university museums are expendable commodities, remains alive in our collective system.

The New York Times - Arts

The odds have been slightly in favor of their extending their careers, in other words — but they are also treated as expendable commodities.

The New York Times

For others, it is hard not to conclude their lives have been reduced to expendable commodities in a building boom where site hoardings proclaim with no hint of irony: "Qatar deserves the best".

The Guardian

They are accessible, expendable commodities to keep the engines of war running.

Huffington Post

They've challenged sports institutions and organizations to better understand and promote their long-term well being, and questioned the ethics of treating competitive athletes as expendable commodities.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expendable commodity", ensure the context clearly indicates that the item or resource is easily replaceable and not considered critical or valuable. For example, in a business context, certain office supplies might be considered "expendable commodities".

Common error

Avoid using "expendable commodity" to describe resources or people that actually require careful management or consideration. Misusing the phrase can create a negative or dismissive impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expendable commodity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as a direct object or predicate nominative. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English, describing items or resources that are easily consumed or replaced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expendable commodity" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe items or resources considered easily replaceable and non-essential. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it denotes a lack of criticality or value, as demonstrated by the provided examples. While not a very common phrase, its usage is consistent and appropriate when conveying the idea of something being readily disposable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disposable asset

Focuses on the financial aspect of being readily discarded.

replaceable element

Highlights the substitutability of a component.

easily replaced item

Emphasizes the ease of replacement without indicating value judgment.

interchangeable component

Highlights that one component can be switched for another without significant impact.

consumable good

Focuses on the fact that the commodity is designed to be used up.

non-essential resource

Highlights the lack of necessity rather than disposability.

easily depleted resource

Stresses the ease with which the resource can be exhausted.

throwaway object

Implies immediate and casual disposal.

readily available material

Highlights the characteristic of being abundant and accessible.

low-value item

Indicates that the item is not considered valuable.

FAQs

How can I use "expendable commodity" in a sentence?

You can use "expendable commodity" to describe items or resources that are easily replaced without significant impact. For example, "In the military, certain supplies are considered "expendable commodities" because they are readily available and easily replaced".

What is a less formal alternative to "expendable commodity"?

Alternatives such as "disposable asset" or "easily replaced item" can convey a similar meaning in less formal contexts.

Which is the correct term, "expendable commodity" or "durable commodity"?

"Expendable commodity" refers to items that are quickly used up and replaced, while "durable commodity" refers to items designed to last a long time. The correct term depends on the context.

What's the difference between "expendable commodity" and "non-essential resource"?

"Expendable commodity" highlights that the resource is easily replaced, while "non-essential resource" emphasizes that the resource is not critical or necessary. The terms have overlapping meanings, but different emphases.