gone to waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone to waste" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been wasted or not utilized effectively. Example: "All that food we prepared for the party ended up going to waste because no one showed up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gone to waste.

The New York Times - Sports

Not one centimetre has gone to waste.

The Guardian - Travel

That money has gone to waste".

The Guardian

But his liberal education has not gone to waste.

The New York Times

But much aid also seems to have gone to waste.

The New York Times

But Mr Kerry has helped ensure that a good crisis has not gone to waste.

The Economist

And that, you would think, is the very definition of a crisis having gone to waste.

The New York Times

Now all that good work, for the time being, has gone to waste".

The New York Times

"But your training has never gone to waste, it's maintaining your fitness for the next banana".

The New York Times

His talent was obvious, but it could have easily gone to waste.

The New York Times - Sports

All those years of presenting Auntie's Bloomers on BBC1 have not gone to waste.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gone to waste" to express that an effort, resource, or opportunity has not been used effectively or has been lost. It adds a sense of regret or disappointment to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "gone to waste" as an active verb. It's a passive construction. Instead of saying "He gone to waste the food", say "The food has gone to waste" or "He wasted the food".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone to waste" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a predicate adjective to describe a state of being squandered, unused, or rendered ineffective. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gone to waste" is a common idiom that describes something that has been squandered, unused, or rendered ineffective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in News & Media contexts. When writing, remember that it's a passive construction, and consider alternatives like "wasted" or "squandered" to add nuance. Avoid using it in active constructions. With these tips, you can confidently and accurately use "gone to waste" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasted

A more direct and general term for something not being used effectively or being lost.

squandered

Focuses on the act of wasting something carelessly or foolishly, often implying a lack of responsibility.

come to nothing

Indicates that efforts or plans have failed to produce any positive results.

gone down the drain

Implies that something has been completely lost or ruined, often after a period of effort or investment.

misspent

Emphasizes that something, often time or money, has been used unwisely or inappropriately.

rendered useless

Highlights the state of something becoming unusable or ineffective due to certain circumstances.

proved futile

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of an action or effort, highlighting its lack of success.

lost forever

Emphasizes the permanent loss of something, with no chance of recovery.

unproductive

Highlights the lack of output or results from an activity or resource.

dissipated

Suggests that something has gradually faded away or vanished, often implying a loss of value.

FAQs

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

Use "gone to waste" to describe something that has not been used effectively or has been lost. For example: "All the food we prepared "has gone to waste" because no one showed up."

What can I say instead of "gone to waste"?

You can use alternatives like "wasted", "unused", or "squandered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "go to waste" or "gone to waste"?

"Go to waste" is the infinitive form, while "gone to waste" is the past participle form, used in perfect tenses. For example, "The food will go to waste" versus "The food has gone to waste."

What is the difference between "gone to waste" and "thrown away"?

"Gone to waste" implies that something has not been utilized effectively and is now unusable, while "thrown away" specifically means that something has been discarded. Something "gone to waste" might not necessarily have been physically discarded, but its value is lost.