wasted less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wasted less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the amount of waste produced or resources consumed in different scenarios, indicating a reduction in waste. Example: "By implementing new recycling practices, we wasted less than we did last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Maybe if you wasted less time posting reviews of old "Friends" episodes on Tumblr, you'd be able to afford an apartment with an actual fireplace.

The New Yorker

According to a report from the Montana Team Nutrition program, children who played before lunch wasted less food, drank more milk and asked for more water.

The New York Times - Health

Since I gave up shopping in them almost a year ago I have halved my grocery bills, wasted less food, cut down on packaging and avoided eating horsemeat.

The Guardian - Money

Maybe if you wasted less time posting reviews of old "Friends" episodes on Tumblr, you'd be able to afford an apartment with an _actual _fireplace.

The New Yorker

The result would be healthier patients who spent less time in hospitals — and a culture that wasted less money on things that didn't lead directly to a healthier population.

The New York Times

The costs of the East River tolls, the experts at the conference predicted, would be vastly outweighed by the benefits of rapidly moving traffic: less time wasted, less fuel burned, less air pollution, more economic activity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Finally, try to waste less.

Independent

It wastes less water than a shower.

The New York Times

People are buying less, travelling less, and wasting less food.

The Economist

When there's less time to work, you waste less time.

The New York Times

They are also looking for better deals, trying new retailers, buying less and wasting less.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental or economic improvements, use "wasted less" to highlight a reduction in inefficiency and resource consumption. Be specific about what is being wasted less of, such as time, money, or materials.

Common error

While "wasted less" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "saved" or "reduced" might sound more natural. Always consider your audience and the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wasted less" functions as a verb phrase indicating a comparative reduction in the amount of something used inefficiently or discarded. Examples on Ludwig show it modifying nouns like "time", "food", "fuel" and "energy".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wasted less" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a reduction in waste or inefficient use of resources. Ludwig AI confirms that it's employed across various domains, including news, science and encyclopedias, with a neutral register. To enhance clarity, consider specifying what is being "wasted less" and choosing synonyms like "reduced waste" or "used more efficiently" depending on the context. Be mindful of potential overuse in overly informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced waste

Focuses on the result of decreasing waste, a more concise alternative.

Minimized waste

Emphasizes bringing waste to the smallest possible amount.

Used more efficiently

Highlights the improved use of resources, shifting focus from waste to efficiency.

Conserved more

Emphasizes the preservation of resources.

Lessened consumption

Focuses on decreasing the amount used, implying reduced waste.

Improved resource utilization

Highlights the enhancement in how resources are used, minimizing waste.

Decreased inefficiency

Shifts the emphasis to reducing the state of being wasteful.

Avoided waste

Focuses on preventing waste from occurring in the first place.

Optimized usage

Emphasizes achieving the best possible use of resources.

Streamlined processes

Implies that waste is reduced by making processes more efficient and less redundant.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "wasted less" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "reduced waste", "minimized waste", or "used more efficiently" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "wasted less" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "wasted less" may sometimes sound less formal than alternatives. Consider using more formal options like "decreased consumption" or "improved resource utilization" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "wasted less" and "reduced waste"?

"Wasted less" focuses on the action of wasting, while "reduced waste" emphasizes the outcome—the decreased amount of waste. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the process or the result.

Can I use "wasted less" when referring to abstract concepts like time or effort?

Yes, "wasted less" can apply to both tangible and abstract resources. For instance, you can say "wasted less time" on a project or "wasted less effort" due to improved efficiency.