have been wasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been wasted" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "to waste," indicating that something was wasted in the past and the effects continue in the present. Example: "The company's resources have been wasted on unnecessary expenses, leading to a decrease in profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They might have been wasted.

The New Yorker

Those votes will not have been wasted".

Independent

It could have been wasted".

The New York Times

"Too many years have been wasted".

The Guardian

Without question enormous sums have been wasted.

The New York Times

All their sacrifices over so long would have been wasted".

Independent

The majority of that money appears to have been wasted.

The New York Times

"Four to five generations have been wasted since 1952.

The Guardian

Even if turns out to have been wasted motion.

The New York Times

And even if no killer asteroids are found, the money will not have been wasted.

The Economist

Nearly a year will have been wasted by the time the reforms start biting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been wasted", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what has been ineffectively used or lost. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "have been wasted" without a clear subject. Ensure that the wasted resource or opportunity is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been wasted" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice. This construction is used to indicate that something was acted upon in the past, resulting in a state of being used ineffectively. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something was wasted in the past and the effects continue in the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been wasted" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice, commonly used to express regret or concern over the inefficient use of resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage. It frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity and to maximize the impact of your message. Consider alternatives like "have gone to waste" or "have been squandered" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have gone to waste

Emphasizes the futility and lack of positive outcome from something.

have been squandered

Highlights the careless and irresponsible spending or use of resources.

have been frittered away

Suggests resources were wasted in small amounts over time on unimportant things.

have been lost

Focuses on the disappearance or unavailability of something valuable.

have been ineffectual

Stresses the lack of desired impact or result.

have been unproductive

Highlights the failure to achieve a desired outcome or generate value.

have been futile

Underscores the pointlessness and lack of success in an effort.

have been for naught

Emphasizes that effort was spent without any successful result.

have come to nothing

Highlights the complete failure to achieve a desired result.

have been rendered useless

Stresses that something had the potential to be useful, but this has been lost.

FAQs

How can I use "have been wasted" in a sentence?

You can use "have been wasted" to indicate that resources, time, or opportunities were not used effectively. For instance, "Millions of dollars "have been wasted" on this project" shows ineffective spending.

What are some alternatives to saying "have been wasted"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have gone to waste", "have been squandered", or "have been lost" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "have been wasted" or "were wasted"?

The choice depends on the context. "Have been wasted" (present perfect) implies the effects are still relevant, while "were wasted" (simple past) refers to a completed event in the past without necessarily implying current relevance.

What is the difference between "have been wasted" and "have been exhausted"?

"Have been wasted" implies inefficient or ineffective use, while "have been exhausted" suggests complete consumption or use to the point of depletion.