hard to waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to waste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to squander or use inefficiently, often in the context of resources or time. Example: "In our busy lives, time is hard to waste, so we must prioritize our tasks effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A writer's time is hard to waste.

The New Yorker

By John Updike A writer's time is hard to waste.

The New Yorker

Almost as if he knew he would die young, Swartz found it hard to waste time on the kind of make-work and nonsense that forms so much of a normal life.

The New Yorker

But here the point is that it's hard to waste resources more thoroughly than by leaving them idle; hiring the unemployed and putting them to work doing something is a huge improvement, even if it isn't the best possible project.

The New York Times

Covert intervention overseas, Watergate, the savings and loan debacle, partisan paralysis in Congress -- at every turn, it seems, our kinsman by the Potomac has worked hard to waste his accumulation of midcentury good will.

The New York Times

In the video, he says in Arabic that a bucket of water would be hard to waste, since it would be enough water for one family to use for a day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is clearly a good idea, but so is the introduction of checks and balances that make it harder to waste or steal public funds.

The Economist

"They suffer from fiscal deficit, and it's getting harder and harder to waste the lives of young Americans in the Middle East," he said.

Vice

Please, don't allow my incredibly embarassing meltdown to overshadow this movie and to have all of those people's hard work go to waste".

The Guardian - Film

I told him, why should all our hard work go to waste?" The brothers sat next to each other as Jose told this story last week.

The New York Times - Sports

There's nothing worse than 48 hours of hard work going to waste because you didn't follow one particular instruction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the value of something, use "hard to waste" to underscore its importance and the need for careful utilization.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to waste" when you simply mean something is plentiful; the phrase implies inherent value or scarcity, not just abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to waste" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to something valuable like time, resources, or opportunities. It describes the characteristic of being difficult or undesirable to squander.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to waste" is grammatically correct and used to describe something valuable that should not be squandered. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, emphasizing the importance of using resources or time efficiently. While adaptable to various registers, it’s crucial to use the phrase accurately, aligning with its connotation of inherent value. Alternatives like "difficult to squander" or "not easy to misuse" can provide similar emphasis depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to squander

Emphasizes the difficulty in recklessly spending something.

not easily squandered

Emphasizes the difficulty in recklessly spending something.

not easy to misuse

Highlights the challenge in using something improperly or inefficiently.

hard to misuse

Highlights the challenge in using something improperly or inefficiently.

challenging to fritter away

Focuses on the difficulty in carelessly wasting something, particularly time or resources.

hard to fritter away

Focuses on the difficulty in carelessly wasting something, particularly time or resources.

tough to deplete

Stresses the resilience against being exhausted or used up.

unlikely to be wasted

Indicates a low probability of something being squandered.

difficult to throw away

Highlights the difficulty in recklessly spending something.

difficult to be wasted

Indicates a low probability of something being squandered.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to waste" to describe resources or opportunities that are valuable and should be used carefully. For example, "A writer's time is "hard to waste"."

What is a good alternative to "hard to waste"?

Alternatives include phrases like "difficult to squander", "not easy to misuse", or "unlikely to be wasted", depending on the context.

Is "hard to waste" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hard to waste" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English, particularly in news and media contexts according to Ludwig.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "hard to waste"?

It's appropriate to use "hard to waste" when referring to something valuable, like time or resources, that should be used efficiently and not squandered. The phrase suggests that the item in question has intrinsic worth.