be spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be spent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been used up or exhausted, often in the context of time, energy, or resources. Example: "After a long day of work, I felt that all my energy would be spent by the time I got home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Money was to be spent.

The New York Times

Is there money available to be spent?

The New York Times

Some money will not be spent quickly?

The New York Times

The Annenberg money can be spent immediately.

The New York Times - Arts

Cultural currency, to be spent like water.

The New York Times - Style

HOW will the money be spent?

The New York Times

This money cannot be spent overnight".

The New York Times

Rebates cannot be spent on used cars.

The New York Times

Money will be spent, he promised.

The New York Times - Sports

Money must be spent more wisely.

The New York Times

And all this money will be spent in conservative ways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial matters, ensure clarity by specifying what the money will "be spent" on. For example, instead of saying "The funds will be spent", specify "The funds will "be spent" on research and development".

Common error

Avoid using "be spent" without a clear subject. Saying "Time will "be spent"" is vague. Instead, clarify who or what will "be spent", such as "The team's time will "be spent" on project planning".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "be spent" is as part of a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of spending, rather than performing it. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "be spent" follows auxiliary verbs to form future or conditional passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be spent" functions as a passive verb construction to describe the allocation or consumption of resources like time, money, or energy. Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly will "be spent" and by whom. Related phrases include "be utilized", "be consumed", and "be allocated", each offering slightly different nuances. Ludwig confirms that "be spent" is a versatile and essential phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be utilized

Focuses on the practical application of something rather than its depletion.

be exhausted

Indicates a complete depletion of resources or energy.

be consumed

Emphasizes the process of using something up completely.

be employed

Similar to "be utilized", but can also refer to the act of hiring someone.

be allocated

Highlights the planned distribution of resources.

be applied

Highlights the act of putting something to a specific use or task.

be devoted

Stresses the dedication of something to a specific purpose.

be dispensed

Suggests a careful and controlled distribution of something.

be invested

Implies a commitment of resources with the expectation of future returns.

be channeled

Implies directing resources or efforts towards a particular goal or destination.

FAQs

How to use "be spent" in a sentence?

The phrase "be spent" indicates that something, like time, money, or energy, is used up or allocated for a specific purpose. For example, "The money will "be spent" on new equipment" or "The time will "be spent" training new employees".

What can I say instead of "be spent"?

You can use alternatives like "be utilized", "be consumed", or "be allocated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "the money will be spent" or "the money will be spend"?

"The money will be spent" is correct. "Spent" is the past participle of "spend" and is used after auxiliary verbs like "be". "Spend" is the base form and is not grammatically correct in this context.

What's the difference between "be spent" and "being spent"?

"Be spent" is often used in future constructions (e.g., "The budget will be spent") or in hypothetical situations (e.g., "The money should "be spent" wisely"). "Being spent" is used in continuous tenses or gerund phrases, emphasizing the ongoing process (e.g., "The money is being spent rapidly" or "The concern is the money being spent inefficiently").