it was wasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was wasting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is being squandered or not utilized effectively in the past. Example: "During the meeting, I realized it was wasting valuable time discussing irrelevant topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Your complacent humanist will no doubt remain unmoved, confident that if the savage mind was necessarily alert it was wasting its keenness on the singularly unprofitable end of merely preserving the savage body.

The Guardian

Mr. Young sued the Central or the ground that it was wasting its stockholders money, he specified as one of the railroad's extravagances the hiring of Georgeson & Co.; proxy solicitors.

The New Yorker

It was shut down in August, amid concerns that it was wasting  public money.

Independent

FOLLOWING I use Facebook quite a lot to keep up with my friends, although I had to delete Words With Friends from my phone because it was wasting too much of my time.

The New York Times

An unnamed Russian official was quoted by a Russian news agency as saying that Sweden could save the money it was wasting on the search by seeking an explanation from the Netherlands.

The Guardian

However, Dr Clifford Mann, chairman of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the flow of British-trained doctors going abroad – as they are unprepared to work under conditions now common in the health service – needed to be stopped because it was wasting hundreds of millions of pounds.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Perhaps it was about politics, but it was wasted time".

The Guardian - Sport

It's not that it was wasted.

Los Angeles Times

None of it was wasted.

Huffington Post

It's wasting your life".

The New Yorker

"It's wasting research dollars".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was wasting", ensure the subject ('it') is clearly defined and the context makes it evident what is being wasted (e.g., time, money, resources). This clarity enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it was wasting" without a clear antecedent for "it". Without context, the reader won't know what is being squandered, weakening the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was wasting" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense, describing an ongoing action of squandering or inefficiently using something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was wasting" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to describe the inefficient use or squandering of resources. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is a standard phrase in English writing. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts and serves to express concern or disapproval about wastefulness. For clarity, ensure the subject is well-defined and consider alternatives like "it was squandering" or "it was misusing" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was squandering

Emphasizes reckless and foolish wastefulness, often implying a lack of care or foresight.

it was misusing

Highlights the inappropriate or incorrect application of something, leading to its ineffectiveness or waste.

it was frittering away

Implies a gradual and careless dissipation of resources, often in small amounts over time.

it was dissipating

Focuses on the gradual disappearance or vanishing of something, often due to inefficiency or neglect.

it was throwing away

Suggests a more direct and immediate discarding of something valuable.

it was inefficiently using

Directly addresses the lack of efficiency in the utilization of something.

it was not utilizing effectively

Similar to "it was inefficiently using" but emphasizes the absence of positive results or benefits.

it was making poor use of

Highlights the substandard quality of the usage, implying a failure to maximize potential.

it was failing to capitalize on

Focuses on the missed opportunity to gain an advantage or benefit from something.

it was losing

Indicates a loss of something valuable due to negligence or mismanagement.

FAQs

What does "it was wasting" mean?

The phrase "it was wasting" means that something was being used inefficiently or being squandered. It implies that a resource, time, or effort was not being utilized effectively, leading to a loss or lack of benefit.

What can I say instead of "it was wasting"?

You can use alternatives like "it was squandering", "it was misusing", or "it was frittering away" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was wasting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was wasting" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense, which is appropriate for describing an ongoing action in the past.

How can I use "it was wasting" in a sentence?

You can use "it was wasting" in a sentence to describe how something was being used ineffectively. For example: "During the meeting, I realized "it was wasting" valuable time discussing irrelevant topics."