substantial waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial waste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant amount of waste, whether in terms of materials, resources, or time, in various contexts such as environmental discussions or business efficiency. Example: "The factory's outdated machinery leads to substantial waste, impacting both the environment and the company's bottom line."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Rodney Schwartz: Labels are a substantial waste of time and are frankly quite arbitrary.

The Guardian

Leaks also lead to a substantial waste of energy, which is during the cleaning and pumping process, and wasted chemicals used to treat the water.

The Guardian

In an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association in March, they said there was "substantial waste" in the nation's medical education.

The New York Times

Hot-Isostatic Pressing (HIP) is employed to consolidate the processed waste and achieve substantial waste volume reductions compared to a cementation option.

Procedia Chemistry

However, it's currently produced through a multistep chemical reaction that consumes significant amounts of energy, generates substantial waste, and requires a catalyst of palladium a rare and expensive metal.

University of California, Berkeley

Indeed, concern over whether the federal government can target the money to the right programs without substantial waste is motivating Wharton's Inman to work with the Philadelphia Fed on research into how money from past stimulus packages has been spent, especially direct federal aid to states.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The company claims that while it may generate substantial solid waste, single-serve coffee makers actually use fewer grounds and less water than traditional drip machines, and that sending all those K-Cups to landfills isn't actually all that bad.

The New York Times

As for the kitchen, its efforts lacked control on my first visit, with overly large portions of some dishes creating unappetizing challenges to tidy fork-and-knife work and leaving substantial wasted food.

The New York Times

Buriganga River, which is the major sources of water supply for agricultural, livestock and fishing activities (Azom et al. [2012]), is contaminated by the wastes discharged from these industries as it contains a bulk amount of liquid and solid wastes with substantial quantities of heavy metals: Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ca, Ni, Mg, Se etc.

International Journal of Food Contamination

Very often, a substantial amount of total expenditures is spent on the collection of solid waste by city authorities.

Waste Management

This sample dissolution work generates substantial chemical waste.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impact, quantify the "substantial waste" with specific data (e.g., tons of materials, gallons of water) to strengthen your argument and provide a clearer picture of the problem.

Common error

While "substantial waste" is appropriate in formal reports and news articles, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "a lot of waste" or "significant waste" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial waste" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "waste". As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a significant or considerable quantity of discarded or unused material, resources, or energy. The examples provided illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial waste" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a significant amount of waste. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal contexts, particularly in science, news, and business, where precise quantification is important. While synonyms like "significant wastage" and "considerable squandering" exist, "substantial waste" maintains a formal tone that is effective for highlighting the scope of inefficiency or resource mismanagement. Using this phrase effectively involves quantifying the waste whenever possible and adjusting the register to suit the audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both valid and readily understandable across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant wastage

Replaces "waste" with "wastage" emphasizing the process of wasting.

considerable squandering

Substitutes "substantial waste" with "considerable squandering", highlighting reckless spending or misuse.

large-scale dissipation

Replaces with a more formal term suggesting broad and inefficient loss.

major inefficiency

Focuses on the aspect of inefficiency as a result of the waste.

excessive depletion

Emphasizes the reduction of resources beyond acceptable levels.

gross mismanagement

Highlights poor handling and subsequent waste of resources.

serious drain

Focuses on the depletion aspect of the "waste", suggesting a gradual loss.

notable extravagance

Suggests waste through luxurious or unnecessary spending.

remarkable prodigality

Emphasizes extreme wastefulness or lavishness.

unwarranted depletion

Focuses on the justification of resource loss.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial waste" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial waste" to describe a significant amount of wasted resources, materials, or time. For example, "The outdated manufacturing process resulted in "substantial waste" of raw materials".

What are some alternatives to using "substantial waste"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "significant wastage", "considerable squandering", or "large-scale dissipation".

Is "substantial waste" a formal or informal phrase?

"Substantial waste" is generally considered a more formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "a lot of waste" may be more appropriate.

What kind of waste is "substantial waste" typically referring to?

"Substantial waste" can refer to various types of waste, including material waste, energy waste, time waste, or financial waste. The specific type of waste should be clear from the context in which the phrase is used.