it wasted like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it wasted like" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a comparison or a simile, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The food it wasted like a forgotten meal left out for days."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It wasted like ten, fifteen minutes of our time.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Again, not what we were promised and makes the audience feel duped and like it wasted its time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On the contrary, they value their time ever more highly, and don't like seeing it wasted.

The Guardian - Film

But with people's lives being wasted like that, it's worth giving them a little more attention".

The New York Times

I fed the body to my snake after the video and it wasn't wasted (I like to share).

Vice

Lila, she thinks, "possessed intelligence and didn't put it to use but, rather, wasted it, like a great lady for whom all the riches in the world are merely a sign of vulgarity".

The New Yorker

Ok, so what does "not wasting it" look like?

Huffington Post

But because the water is free, Qataris waste it like, well, water.

The Guardian

In Ivanov, it represents waste, like an abacus of failure.

The Guardian

(IDI, 41-year-old married father of four, self-employed carpenter, chronic cougher) … Men don't like going to the hospital; they see it like wasting time instead of working.

Global Health Action

If you don't like it, you waste no money.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it wasted like" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "it deteriorated like" or "it was squandered like" to convey the intended meaning more clearly.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "like" without ensuring a proper comparison. When describing how something is wasted, ensure the simile accurately reflects the type of waste. For instance, instead of saying "it wasted like old bread", which is vague, specify what aspect of old bread the waste resembles: "it deteriorated like old bread left in the sun."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it wasted like" functions as part of a simile, attempting to draw a comparison to illustrate the manner in which something is being depleted or squandered. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it wasted like" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English according to Ludwig AI. It is an attempt to form a simile, but lacks clarity and proper structure, and it is rarely used. When aiming for formal or clear communication, it's advisable to use alternatives like "it deteriorated like" or "it was squandered like". Although some examples appear in news and scientific contexts, these usages are infrequent and often embedded within more complex expressions. Therefore, while the phrase attempts to convey a comparison to illustrate how something is being depleted or squandered, it should be avoided in favor of more grammatically sound and precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it deteriorated like

Focuses on the process of decline or decay, similar to the concept of something being wasted over time.

it squandered like

Emphasizes the act of wasting something valuable, highlighting the loss or misuse involved.

it was used inefficiently like

Highlights the ineffective use of resources or opportunities, implying a form of waste.

it was frittered away like

Suggests that something was wasted gradually and carelessly, similar to spending resources foolishly.

it was consumed recklessly like

Emphasizes the uncontrolled or excessive use of something, leading to its depletion or waste.

it was depleted rapidly like

Focuses on the quick exhaustion of resources, indicating a swift form of waste or depletion.

it was spent lavishly like

Highlights excessive spending or use, suggesting resources are wasted on extravagant or unnecessary things.

it was exhausted needlessly like

Implies that something was wasted without a valid reason or purpose, emphasizing the lack of justification.

it dissipated pointlessly like

Focuses on the idea that something vanished or was wasted without achieving any meaningful result.

it vanished meaninglessly like

Emphasizes the loss of something without any significance or value, suggesting a complete waste.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it wasted like" to be grammatically correct?

To correct "it wasted like", use alternatives such as "it deteriorated like", "it was squandered like", or "it was used inefficiently like" depending on the intended meaning.

What does "it wasted like" imply?

The phrase "it wasted like" generally implies that something is being used ineffectively, depleted, or squandered in a manner similar to something else. The specific meaning depends heavily on the context of the sentence.

Is "it wasted like" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "it wasted like" is not appropriate for formal writing. It's better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "it was frittered away like" or "it was consumed recklessly like".

What's a more vivid way to describe something being wasted?

Instead of "it wasted like", consider using more descriptive language that specifies how something is being wasted, for instance "it depleted rapidly like resources in a crisis", or "it vanished meaninglessly like a dream upon waking".