significant waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or situation that consumes a lot of time without providing any meaningful benefit or value. Example: "The meeting turned out to be a significant waste of time, as we didn't reach any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

All others were a significant waste of time.

TechCrunch

From a first glance, it looks like an awfully significant waste of time.

Huffington Post

Retaking either of these tests could be a significant game changer, but it could also be a significant waste of time if not approached correctly.

Huffington Post

This results in a significant waste of time and resources in cases where putative hits cannot be validated without resynthesis.

ACS Combinatorial Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Complete waste of time".

The New Yorker

Never a waste of time.

The New Yorker

A complete waste of time.

The New York Times

"A terrific waste of time.

Independent

What a waste of time.

Independent

Waste of time, mate.

The Guardian

Silly waste of time..

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing inefficient processes or meetings, use "significant waste of time" to emphasize the considerable time spent without valuable results.

Common error

Avoid using "significant waste of time" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "major time sink" or "considerable time loss" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant waste of time" functions as a noun phrase that describes an activity or situation that consumes a considerable amount of time without yielding worthwhile results. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant waste of time" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote activities or situations that consume considerable time without producing meaningful results. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase. While relatively infrequent, as shown by Ludwig examples, it appears in both news media and scientific contexts. To diversify your writing, consider alternatives like "major time sink" or "considerable time loss". Avoid overusing the phrase to maintain engaging and varied content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major time sink

Focuses on the time-consuming aspect without offering proportional benefit.

considerable time loss

Emphasizes the amount of time lost, similar to "significant waste".

substantial squandering of time

Highlights the wasteful nature of the time usage.

utter futility

Indicates complete pointlessness, more emphatic than a simple waste.

exercise in futility

Describes an activity doomed to fail, implying wasted effort and time.

dead end

Suggests a path or activity leading nowhere productive.

pointless endeavor

Highlights the lack of purpose and value in the activity.

fruitless activity

Emphasizes the lack of positive results or outcomes.

empty gesture

Denotes an action without real meaning or impact.

vain pursuit

Implies that the pursuit is ultimately unsuccessful and therefore a waste.

FAQs

How can I use "significant waste of time" in a sentence?

You can use "significant waste of time" to describe an activity or situation that consumes a lot of time without providing any meaningful benefit or value. For example: "The project turned out to be a "significant waste of time", as we didn't achieve the desired outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "significant waste of time"?

You can use alternatives like "major time sink", "considerable time loss", or "pointless endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "significant waste of time" or "complete waste of time"?

Both "significant waste of time" and "complete waste of time" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Significant waste of time" emphasizes the amount of time wasted, while "complete waste of time" emphasizes the lack of any value or benefit.

How formal is the phrase "significant waste of time"?

The phrase "significant waste of time" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, including formal and informal settings. However, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate phrase for your writing style.