I spent that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I spent that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the expenditure of a specific amount of money or time on something previously mentioned. Example: "After reviewing my budget, I realized I spent that on unnecessary subscriptions last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Michelle and I spent that night together".

The New York Times

I spent that year in an electronic torpor.

Independent

"I spent that whole summer working hard," Combs said.

The New York Times - Sports

I spent that weekend saying goodbye to everything, alive and dead, sentient and inanimate.

The New York Times

I spent that night searching online for "custom music box melodies".

The New York Times

"We didn't make much money, and I spent that decade in a pretty [expletive] mood".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I spend that much money on long distance phone calls".

The New York Times - Sports

I spend that time listening to whatever my new favorite business book is.

The New York Times

Would I spend that kind of money on this car?

Los Angeles Times

I spend that time listening, dreaming and pondering in silence.

Huffington Post

I spend that time with eye contact and getting to know somebody, you know what I mean?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I spent that", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. For instance, "I spent that summer" is clear if the summer has been previously mentioned.

Common error

Avoid using "I spent that" without a clear antecedent for "that". This can lead to confusion if the reader doesn't know what time period or resource is being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I spent that" typically functions as part of a clause within a sentence, indicating the allocation of time, money, or effort to something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. It often follows an introductory statement providing context for "that".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I spent that" is a versatile phrase used to express the allocation of time, money, or effort to a previously mentioned subject. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, and its prevalence in news and media illustrates its wide acceptance. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the reference of "that" is evident to your audience. Alternatives like "I devoted that" or "I allocated that" can offer a more formal tone, but "I spent that" remains a reliable and easily understood choice for conveying past actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I devoted that

Emphasizes dedication of time or resources.

I allocated that

Focuses on the distribution or assignment of resources.

I used that

Highlights the utilization of time or resources.

I invested that

Stresses the commitment of resources with an expectation of return.

I whiled away that

Implies a leisurely or unproductive use of time.

I frittered away that

Suggests wasting time or resources on trivial matters.

That's how I passed it

Focuses on how time was used, without specifying the activity's nature.

I occupied myself with that

Highlights self-engagement in a particular activity.

That was how I occupied myself

Focuses on occupation and the time.

I filled that with

Emphasizes the filling of a time slot with an activity.

FAQs

How can I use "I spent that" in a sentence?

Use "I spent that" to refer to a specific period or resource you've already mentioned. For example, "The project was challenging. "I spent that" entire week troubleshooting the code".

What's a more formal alternative to "I spent that"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I devoted that time to", or "I allocated those resources to" for a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "I spend that" instead of "I spent that"?

No, "I spend that" is incorrect in most contexts. "Spend" is the present tense, while "spent" is the past tense. Use ""I spent that"" when referring to something you already did.

Can I use "I spent that" to refer to future events?

No, ""I spent that"" is used to describe events that have already occurred. For future events, use "I will spend that".