major drain on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major drain on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that significantly consumes resources, energy, or effort, often in a negative context. Example: "The outdated technology is a major drain on our budget, preventing us from investing in more efficient solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"It's a major drain on resources," Mr. McNaughton said.

The New York Times

The prepayments are a major drain on cash flow.

The New York Times

Uncertainty is a major drain on the economy.

The New York Times

But local industry is also a major drain on the city's water supplies.

The Guardian

A major drain on most managers' energy is the perception that they have limited influence.

Harvard Business Review

Such turnarounds are a major drain on money and management time.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Smoking is a major financial drain on Britain's National Health Service, according to the researchers who organized this unconventional clinical trial.

Los Angeles Times

But perhaps the past year has been such a drain on Major because things aren't going as planned.

Forbes

But the authorities admit that the disease remains a major public health challenge and an enormous drain on the economy.

BBC

It had the support of a number of major retailers as well, but ultimately, was a drain on eBay's bottom line.

TechCrunch

Plastics, especially new plastics, are a big drain on finite petroleum resources and major contributor to greenhouse gases.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major drain on", consider specifying what is being drained (e.g., resources, energy, budget) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "drain" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "burden", "depletion", or "strain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major drain on" functions as a noun phrase complement, often acting as a predicate nominative or an object of a preposition. Ludwig examples show its use in describing something that significantly depletes or burdens a resource.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major drain on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that significantly depletes resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and business communications. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance and utility. While alternatives like "significant burden on" or "substantial cost to" exist, "major drain on" effectively conveys the idea of a substantial loss or expenditure. Remember to specify what exactly is being drained for better clarity, and avoid overuse to prevent repetitive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge drain on

An intensifier to the original phrase, indicating the large scope.

major drain upon

A more formal variation using 'upon' instead of 'on'.

significant burden on

Emphasizes the onerous aspect of the drain.

substantial cost to

Focuses on the financial implications of the drain.

heavy burden on

Similar to 'significant burden', but with a slightly different nuance.

considerable strain on

Highlights the pressure and stress caused by the drain.

significant depletion of

Synonymous with "severe depletion", indicating a notable reduction.

severe depletion of

Focuses on the act of depleting resources.

resource-intensive activity

Describes the activity causing the drain, rather than the drain itself.

significant expenditure for

Focuses on monetary expense that the activity incurs.

FAQs

How can I use "major drain on" in a sentence?

You can use "major drain on" to describe something that significantly depletes resources, such as "The project's cost overruns became a "major drain on" the company's finances."

What are some alternatives to saying "major drain on"?

Alternatives include "significant burden on", "substantial cost to", or "heavy burden on", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "major drain on" or "major drain upon"?

"Major drain on" is more commonly used in contemporary English. "Major drain upon" is grammatically correct but sounds more formal and somewhat dated.

What kind of things are typically described as a "major drain on"?

Things like excessive spending, inefficient processes, and long-term illnesses are frequently characterized as a "major drain on" resources, budgets, or energy.