utter waste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utter waste" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is completely ineffective or unproductive. Example: "The project turned out to be an utter waste of resources." Alternative expressions include "total waste" and "complete waste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It was an utter waste of time".

The Guardian - Music

The tunnel would be an utter waste of public funds.

The Guardian

It would all just be an utter waste.

The Guardian

And look at this utter waste of a morning ritual.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her wedding photos seemed to me an utter waste of time and resources.

The New Yorker

I agree with you that it is a useless activity, an utter waste of time.

The New Yorker

Anything too sharp or vinegary will make the chopping of mushrooms and peeling of potatoes an utter waste of time.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is surely one of life's great ironies, and utter wastes, that the cradle of fashion, and magnet for the world's top designers, is a city in which you can't find anyone prepared to wear the stuff.

The New York Times

Utter nonsense and a complete waste of a valuable education opportunity.

BBC

"It wasn't until I was a teenager, loving poetry, that I read the likes of Wilfred Owen and began to comprehend the utter horror, waste and devastation of those years.

The Guardian

The Witch of the Waste utters her spells and curses in the grand, gravelly tones of Lauren Bacall, while the older Sophie, the witch's rival and foil, rasps in the voice of another great screen diva, Jean Simmons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance the impact of "utter waste" by providing specific details about the wasted resources or opportunities. For example, instead of just stating "It was an utter waste", try "The project was an utter waste of time and taxpayer money".

Common error

Avoid using "utter waste" when referring to something that has some positive aspects or partial utility. The phrase implies a complete lack of value or benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter waste" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "utter" intensifies the noun "waste". This emphasizes the completeness of the waste. Ludwig examples demonstrate the phrase's ability to strongly express disapproval or regret regarding squandered resources or time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utter waste" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a strong sense of disapproval or criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the completeness and futility of something deemed unproductive or valueless. Commonly found in news and media, "utter waste" effectively highlights the negative impact of squandered resources, time, or opportunities. While semantically similar alternatives like ""complete waste"" or ""total waste"" exist, the choice depends on the desired degree of emphasis and specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete waste

Replaces "utter" with "complete", emphasizing the entirety of the waste.

total waste

Substitutes "utter" with "total", indicating the comprehensive nature of the waste.

absolute waste

Uses "absolute" instead of "utter", highlighting the definiteness of the waste.

pure waste

Replaces "utter" with "pure", suggesting the waste is unadulterated.

sheer waste

Substitutes "utter" with "sheer", emphasizing the unmixed nature of the waste.

thorough waste

Uses "thorough" instead of "utter", stressing the comprehensiveness of the waste.

dreadful waste

Replaces "utter" with "dreadful", adding a sense of negativity and regret about the waste.

egregious waste

Substitutes "utter" with "egregious", emphasizing the offensiveness and shocking nature of the waste.

outright waste

Uses "outright" instead of "utter", denoting the undisguised nature of the waste.

useless endeavor

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive alternative, focusing on the futility of the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "utter waste" to describe something that is completely unproductive or ineffective. For example, "The meeting was an "utter waste" of time".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "utter waste"?

Similar phrases include "complete waste", "total waste", and "absolute waste".

Is it grammatically correct to say "utter waste of time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "utter waste of time" is a common and acceptable expression in English.

What is the difference between "utter waste" and "partial waste"?

"Utter waste" implies that something is completely without value, while "partial waste" suggests that only a portion of something is wasted or ineffective.