wasteful spending

USAGE SUMMARY

'wasteful spending' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to money that is spent in an inefficient or extravagant manner. For example: "The government should reduce its wasteful spending and prioritize investments that will benefit the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Would cut wasteful spending at City Hall.

Independent

"He's pushing back at this wasteful spending".

The New York Times

How much in savings can be gleaned from wasteful spending?

The New York Times

Virginia has $500m-worth of such wasteful spending.

The Economist

I led the fight in Congress to cut wasteful spending.

The New York Times

Indeed, Shenyang has been bitterly criticized for wasteful spending.

The New York Times

We're going to cut government contractors and wasteful spending.

The New York Times

Politicians will, of course, promise to eliminate wasteful spending.

The New York Times - Magazine

That change was always a tough sell, especially given regular official findings of wasteful spending.

The New York Times

Mr Yudhoyono's team is struggling to plug the budget deficit and stop wasteful spending.

The Economist

"There is a lot of wasteful spending on cars that aren't even driven," Mr. Brown said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing government finances or corporate budgeting, be specific about what constitutes "wasteful spending". Provide concrete examples to support your claim and make your argument more convincing.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling all spending you disagree with as "wasteful spending". Provide context and explain why the spending is not efficient or effective. Otherwise, it becomes a subjective judgment rather than an objective assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wasteful spending" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "wasteful" is an adjective modifying the noun "spending". Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts. It typically describes expenditures that are considered inefficient, unnecessary, or unproductive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wasteful spending" is a commonly used phrase to describe inefficient or unnecessary expenditures, as validated by Ludwig. Its grammatical function is typically that of a noun phrase, serving to criticize or highlight fiscal irresponsibility. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives include "unnecessary expenditure" and "frivolous expenses". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, making it a valuable term for discussions on economics, politics, and resource management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unnecessary expenditure

Replaces "spending" with "expenditure", emphasizing the act of paying out funds that aren't needed.

frivolous expenses

Replaces "wasteful spending" with the idea of expenses that lack seriousness or value.

extravagant outlays

Substitutes "spending" with "outlays" and "wasteful" with "extravagant", highlighting the excessive nature of the spending.

squandering of resources

Focuses on the mismanagement and loss associated with spending, framing it as a "squandering of resources".

reckless disbursement

Emphasizes the careless and irresponsible nature of the "disbursement" (spending).

improvident spending

Highlights the lack of foresight and planning in the spending habits.

ill-advised expenditure

Implies the spending was a poor decision or unwise choice.

profligate consumption

Highlights the extravagance and excessiveness of the spending.

dissipation of funds

Focuses on the gradual disappearance and wasting away of financial resources.

uneconomical spending

Directly points out the lack of economic sense or value in the expenditure.

FAQs

What are some examples of "wasteful spending" in government?

Examples of "wasteful spending" can include redundant programs, over-budget projects, or unnecessary contracts. Identifying these requires careful analysis of budget allocations and program effectiveness.

How can companies reduce "wasteful spending"?

Companies can reduce "wasteful spending" by conducting thorough audits, streamlining operations, negotiating better deals with suppliers, and implementing stricter spending controls.

What is the difference between "wasteful spending" and "necessary spending"?

"Wasteful spending" refers to spending that doesn't provide adequate value or benefit, while "necessary spending" is essential for achieving specific goals or maintaining essential services.

What can I say instead of "wasteful spending"?

You can use alternatives like "unnecessary expenditure", "frivolous expenses", or "extravagant outlays" depending on the context.