were wasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were wasted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being intoxicated or to indicate that something was squandered or used inefficiently. Example: "After the party, many of the guests were wasted and struggled to find their way home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Billions of dollars were wasted.

The Economist

In fact, most were wasted.

The Guardian

More perishable fruits were wasted.

The New York Times

This way, no beans were wasted.

The New York Times

So all those interviews were wasted.

Independent

But he said hers were wasted words.

The New York Times

Billions of relief dollars were wasted.

The Economist

But his adolescent exploits were wasted.

The Guardian

Otherwise, it was stopped before more resources were wasted.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Thus three days were wasted in disputes and excuses.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So I don't feel that my efforts were wasted.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were wasted" to describe resources, ensure the context clearly indicates what the wasted resources were and the negative impact of their loss. For example, "Millions of dollars were wasted on the failed project, leaving the company in debt".

Common error

Avoid using "were wasted" when an active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of saying "Opportunities were wasted by the team", consider "The team wasted opportunities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were wasted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being wasted. Ludwig AI showcases numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts, from describing wasted resources to missed opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were wasted" is a versatile and common phrase used to express the ineffective or fruitless use of resources, time, or opportunities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a passive verb and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts including news, academia, and general conversation. Common alternatives include "were squandered", "were misspent", and "were lost". A key writing tip is to ensure that the context clarifies what resources are being wasted and the negative impact. Avoid using it when an active voice would be more impactful. Overall, the examples and analysis suggest that "were wasted" is a correct and widely applicable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were squandered

Emphasizes the idea of something being carelessly or foolishly spent.

were spent in vain

Highlights the lack of positive outcome or result from the effort or resource.

were used fruitlessly

Focuses on the lack of productivity or benefit derived from the resource.

were lost

Simple and direct, indicating a loss of something valuable, whether tangible or intangible.

were frittered away

Suggests a gradual and wasteful dissipation of resources.

were misspent

Indicates that resources were used unwisely or inappropriately.

were consumed needlessly

Highlights the unnecessary use of a resource, often implying excess.

were rendered useless

Emphasizes that something became unusable or ineffective after a certain action or event.

were not utilized effectively

Focuses on the inefficiency in the usage of resources or opportunities.

were depleted unnecessarily

Suggests that resources were exhausted without good reason.

FAQs

What does "were wasted" mean?

The phrase "were wasted" indicates that something, such as resources, time, or opportunities, was used ineffectively or squandered without achieving a valuable outcome. It implies a loss or lack of benefit from what was expended.

What can I say instead of "were wasted"?

You can use alternatives like "were squandered", "were misspent", or "were lost" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was wasted" instead of "were wasted"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "was wasted" for singular subjects (e.g., "Time was wasted") and "were wasted" for plural subjects (e.g., "Opportunities were wasted").

How can I use "were wasted" in a sentence?

You can use "were wasted" to describe instances where resources, efforts, or opportunities were not used effectively. For example, "Despite the team's efforts, many resources "were wasted" due to poor planning."