sheer waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is completely unproductive or pointless. Example: "After attending the meeting, I realized it was a sheer waste of time, as no decisions were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And frankly speaking, I believe that the Tri‑Series that we played was a sheer waste of time and energy".

The Guardian - Sport

This new campaign went into overdrive even before last year's "Three Stresses" campaign (theoretical study, political awareness and good conduct) had fully run its course, causing complaints about the sheer waste of time and energy.

The New York Times

And given how hard it is to navigate women's clothing choices to pick something that's attractive but not too sexy but still friendly but professional enough but not too expensive or I'll get bashed for vanity, and the sheer waste of time this takes up for me, if I had a choice I'd make like Cortana too.

The Guardian - Tech

So, for the sheer waste of time this bill took, Max Baucus is our Most Disappointing Democrat Of The Week, his fourth award in this category.

Huffington Post

After spending a lot of money it is a real sheer waste of time.

BMC Family Practice

It is a sheer waste of time to expand upon proposals for own resources and European taxes.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This particular printout seems a sheer waste of paper.

The New York Times

The sheer waste of it had me in tears.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Top of the list is the sheer "waste of money because others are profiting".

The Guardian - Money

However, it is the sheer waste of burning a valuable resource which annoys me most.

The Guardian - Opinion

This sheer waste of lives as well as American prestige is no small matter.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer waste of time" to emphasize that an activity or endeavor provides absolutely no value or benefit. It conveys a strong sense of futility and unproductive use of resources.

Common error

While "sheer" adds emphasis, overuse can weaken your writing. Ensure it genuinely strengthens your point rather than becoming redundant. Consider whether a simpler "waste of time" is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer waste of time" functions as a judgmental expression, used to express disapproval or frustration regarding an activity or event perceived as unproductive or futile. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is used to describe something utterly pointless.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sheer waste of time" is a commonly used expression to convey strong disapproval of something considered unproductive or futile. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is grammatically correct and acceptable in various contexts. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it appears in reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times, indicating its acceptance in standard English. Alternatives like "utter waste of time" or "complete waste of time" offer similar meanings, though the precise nuance may vary. When using this phrase, consider the potential for overuse of intensifiers and ensure the expression aligns with the intended tone and message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter waste of time

Replaces "sheer" with "utter", emphasizing the completeness of the waste.

complete waste of time

Substitutes "sheer" with "complete", highlighting the thoroughness of the waste.

absolute waste of time

Replaces "sheer" with "absolute", stressing the definitive nature of the waste.

total waste of time

Uses "total" instead of "sheer" to indicate the comprehensive nature of the waste.

pure waste of time

Substitutes "sheer" with "pure", implying an unadulterated waste.

plain waste of time

Replaces "sheer" with "plain", suggesting a straightforward and obvious waste.

great waste of time

Replaces "sheer" with "great", indicating a significant amount of wasted time.

big waste of time

Uses "big" instead of "sheer" to convey a substantial waste of time.

colossal waste of time

Substitutes "sheer" with "colossal", emphasizing the immense scale of the waste.

pointless endeavor

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression indicating a futile activity.

FAQs

What does "sheer waste of time" mean?

The phrase "sheer waste of time" means something is completely unproductive and offers no value or benefit. It implies a significant amount of time is being used ineffectively.

What can I say instead of "sheer waste of time"?

You can use alternatives like "utter waste of time", "complete waste of time", or "total waste of time" depending on the context.

How do I use "sheer waste of time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any activity that you believe is unproductive. For example: "Attending that meeting was a "sheer waste of time"."

Is "sheer waste of time" formal or informal?

The phrase "sheer waste of time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in neutral or informal settings. A more formal alternative might be "unproductive endeavor".