Time spent doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Time spent doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the duration of time dedicated to a specific activity or task. Example: "The time spent doing research for this project was invaluable to its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time spent doing "near" work (including educational activities) is a major known risk factor for myopia, alongside genetic background and time spent outdoors.

The Guardian

Time spent doing one thing is time not spent doing another.

Huffington Post

Here, we consider not only the time spent doing useful computations but the integral object life cycle.

Advances in Engineering Software

There will be more time spent doing pre-interviews than the actual interview.

University of California, Berkeley

Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria holds the U.S. record for the most time spent doing spacewalks.

The Washington Post

But what about the time spent doing it — or not doing something else?

The New York Times

The quality of work should be valued more than the amount of time spent doing it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There used to be a lot of time spent doing nothing.

The New York Times - Travel

There is time spent doing things we are paid for, and there is all of the other time.

The New York Times

That increase in men's work came primarily from increased time spent doing "core" household chores, like cooking, cleaning and laundry.

The Washington Post

"In a way, writing about it was trying to justify all this time spent doing it," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resource allocation, consider "time spent doing" in conjunction with metrics of effectiveness. For example, quantify both the "time spent doing" research and the resulting output.

Common error

Instead of generically stating "a lot of time was spent doing it", specify the actual duration or relative proportion. For example, use "two hours were spent doing" or "significantly more time was spent doing" to give context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Time spent doing" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the duration someone dedicates to a particular action. Ludwig's examples show it is also used to quantify effort, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Time spent doing" is a versatile phrase used to describe the duration dedicated to an activity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. As noted in the writing guidance, being specific about the duration is crucial for clarity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's broad applicability and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Time devoted to

Stresses the dedication and focus given to a task.

Duration of activity

Focuses on the length of the activity rather than the act of spending time.

Hours dedicated to

Emphasizes the commitment of time towards a specific purpose.

Effort invested in

Highlights the exertion and input given to an endeavor.

Investment of time in

Highlights the commitment of time as a valuable resource.

Moment spent on

Refers to a very precise period of time dedicated to a task.

Period engaged in

Uses a more formal tone to denote the time involved in an activity.

Time allocated for

Indicates a planned or assigned duration for an action.

Involvement span in

Refers to the period of participation or engagement in something.

Time consumed by

Focuses on the time taken up by a task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "Time spent doing" in a sentence?

You can use "Time spent doing" to describe the duration of a specific activity, such as, "The "time spent doing research" was essential for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "Time spent doing"?

Alternatives include "time devoted to", "hours dedicated to", or "duration of activity", depending on the context.

Is it better to focus on the quality or the "Time spent doing" something?

While the "time spent doing" a task is important, the quality of the work should also be valued. Efficiently achieving a high-quality result in less time can be more beneficial.

How does "Time spent doing" compare to "Time invested in"?

"Time spent doing" refers to the duration of an activity, while "time invested in" implies that the time spent is expected to yield a return or benefit.