vast waste of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vast waste of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or situation that is perceived as unproductive or not worth the effort. Example: "After attending the meeting, I realized it was a vast waste of time, as no decisions were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A vast waste of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a vast waste of time and resources.The government knows that there is a problem.

The Economist

Of course, the best way to eliminate the vast waste of time and energy that is our daily commuting traffic jam is to rethink and rework urban and regional mass transit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

16. "It's a vast waste of space".

Independent

But an awful lot of what happens strikes me as a vast waste of resources.

The Guardian

The author Hanif Kureishi has rubbished creative writing courses as a "waste of time", saying that the vast majority of students taking them – including many of his own pupils – are "talentless".

Independent

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast waste of time" to express strong disapproval of an activity or process perceived as unproductive or inefficient. For emphasis, consider quantifying the time wasted (e.g., "a vast waste of three hours").

Common error

While "vast" emphasizes the degree of wasted time, avoid piling on additional intensifiers (e.g., "absolutely vast waste of time"), which can make your writing sound hyperbolic and less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast waste of time" functions as a judgmental noun phrase, expressing a negative evaluation of an activity or resource allocation. It serves to highlight the perceived futility and inefficiency of something, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples from news and opinion pieces.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast waste of time" is a phrase employed to express strong disapproval towards an activity or resource allocation deemed unproductive. Ludwig AI highlights that it's grammatically correct and mostly appears in news and media sources. Alternatives include ""huge waste of time"" or ""complete waste of time"". While effective in conveying frustration, writers should avoid overuse and consider the formality of the context, as piling on additional intensifiers can make writing sound hyperbolic and less credible. The phrase serves a clear function: a judgmental expression indicating something is futile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Huge waste of time

Replaces "vast" with "huge", indicating a large amount of wasted time.

Complete waste of time

Uses "complete" to emphasize the totality of the wasted time.

Total waste of time

Similar to "complete waste of time", emphasizing the entirety of the waste.

Enormous waste of time

Substitutes "vast" with "enormous", highlighting the scale of the waste.

Considerable waste of time

Uses "considerable" instead of "vast", suggesting a significant amount of wasted time.

Tremendous waste of time

Replaces "vast" with "tremendous", indicating a great amount of time wasted.

Absolute waste of time

Similar to "complete waste of time", emphasizing the certainty of wasted time.

Utter waste of time

Emphasizes the uselessness of the activity or effort.

Sheer waste of time

Suggests the activity is purely and simply a waste of time.

Pointless endeavor

Shifts the focus to the futility of the effort itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "vast waste of time" to describe activities or situations considered unproductive, such as "Sitting in that meeting was a "vast waste of time" because no decisions were made".

What's a similar phrase to "vast waste of time"?

Alternatives include "huge waste of time", "complete waste of time", or "total waste of time", all expressing a similar sentiment of futility.

Is "vast waste of time" formal or informal?

The phrase "vast waste of time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though slightly leaning towards informal due to its subjective nature. In a very formal setting, consider a more objective alternative.

Could I replace "vast" in "vast waste of time" with another adjective?

Yes, you can use adjectives like "enormous", "considerable", or "tremendous" to convey a similar meaning, though "vast" suggests a broad, extensive waste.