So, you’re worried that someone is wasting your time.
Well, it’s hard to know how to say “you are wasting my time” without easily offending someone, right?
Luckily, you don’t have to worry anymore.
This article will teach you how to politely tell someone they are wasting your time in all contexts.
Other Ways to Say “You Are Wasting My Time”
- I’m afraid I have limited time right now
- I don’t want to waste either of our time
- Please keep your discussion on task, as this isn’t relevant
- We should try to maximize efficiency and streamline this chat
- Let’s keep our dialogue productive
- If we can’t keep this productive, we should move on
- I’m eager to make the most of our conversation by staying on topic
- I’m afraid this is of no relevance to me
- It doesn’t look like this is a productive use of our time
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “You are wasting my time” is correct but rude, so you should avoid using it in most formal contexts.
- Try “I’m afraid I have limited time right now” as a formal synonym to show that you don’t want something to be a waste of time.
- “I don’t want to waste either of our time” is a great informal synonym when you’re unsure if a conversation is worth your time.
So, keep reading to learn how to professionally say “you are wasting my time.” We’ve also explored a more informal choice to give you options in other situations.
Also, you can skip to the final section to learn if it’s rude to say “you are wasting my time.” Then, you’ll know whether it’s appropriate before including it in your writing.
I’m Afraid I Have Limited Time Right Now (Formal)
You can use “I’m afraid I have limited time right now” in your emails. It shows you how to professionally say “you are wasting my time.”
Generally, you can use it to stop someone from wasting your time when you don’t think the conversation is productive.
And you’re not limited by who you can write this to, either.
Use it when emailing a client or your boss. Even though it’s a bit of a rude thing to say (if you write “you are wasting my time”), phrasing it in this way is much more effective.
You can also review this email sample:
Dear Mr. Tucker,
I’m afraid I have limited time right now, so I won’t be able to discuss this with you any further.
Best regards,
Matt Bradley
Here’s a helpful example showing you how to say it in person, too:
Look, I’m afraid I have limited time right now. So, maybe it would be better if we just left this alone and moved on to something more productive.
I Don’t Want to Waste Either of Our Time (Informal)
You can use “I don’t want to waste either of our time” as another way to say “you are wasting my time.”
It shows that you’re not happy someone is being unproductive or spending time talking to you about irrelevant matters.
Generally, it’s more informal. So, it works quite well when emailing coworkers or texting people who are getting on your nerves.
You can also review this email example:
Hi Max,
I don’t want to waste either of our time discussing this. Have you thought about a different topic that might be more relevant?
Yours,
Kylie Brown
Alternatively, you can refer to this in-person example to show you how you might talk to someone face-to-face:
I don’t want to waste either of our time with this any further. Please forgive me, but I need to step away.
Is It Rude to Say “You Are Wasting My Time”?
It is rude to say “you are wasting my time.” We certainly don’t recommend using it unless you’re tired of the person you say it to and want them to leave you alone.
Generally, it’s unprofessional and unkind. So, it’s not appropriate to include it in emails or text messages.
You can say it when you’ve heard enough from someone. It also works well when you don’t think a conversation is productive.
However, be prepared to offend the person you say it to.
For instance:
Look, you are wasting my time. I don’t have the patience to talk to you about any of this right now!
You are wasting my time, Matty. I’m so sorry, but I can’t see any point in us continuing with this.
You should use one of the alternatives mentioned in this article if you don’t want to offend. That’s the most reliable way to ensure you don’t cause an upset!