can be spend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be spend" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
The correct phrase is "can be spent". For example, "The money can be spent on something meaningful."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Placed's apps include Panel App, which gives users points to spend on prices and gift certificates; Give2Charity, where points can be spend on philanthropic donations; and Checkin King, which gives users a one-stop-shop to check in at locations with Facebook, Foursquare, and Google.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Annenberg money can be spent immediately.

The New York Times - Arts

*Grants can be spent at the winner's discretion.

Harvard University

Hours before a game can be spent watching teams practice.

The New York Times - Travel

"No money can be spent to do this or that.

The Economist

At the moment, those profits can be spent on anything.

The New York Times

On the train, that time can be spent working.

The New York Times - Travel

Staff time can be spent offering added value to service.

The Guardian

It's just a matter of what equipment is available and how much can be spent.

Compressor Performance Aerodynamics for the User

A big part of that time can be spent on a wide range of activities.

Transportation Research Procedia

Cash can be spent and so can stocks and bonds, after they are cashed in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the past participle form "spent" after "can be". Remember that "spend" is an irregular verb and its past participle is "spent".

Common error

Avoid using the base form "spend" after auxiliary verbs like "can be". The correct form is the past participle, "spent". For instance, ensure you write "The money can be spent" and not "The money can be spend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be spend" is intended to express possibility or permission regarding the use of something, but it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out the correct phrase is "can be spent".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be spend" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the correct form is "can be spent". This error arises from using the base form of the verb "spend" instead of the past participle "spent" after the auxiliary verb "be". The intended purpose of the phrase is to express the possibility of using something, whether it's money, time, or resources, but the grammatical mistake undermines its effectiveness. When aiming for clear and accurate communication, ensure you use the correct form, ""can be spent"", and consider alternatives such as "may be used" or "could be allocated" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be spent

Corrects the grammatical error by using the past participle form of the verb "spend".

may be used

Replaces "can be" with "may be" and uses "used" to convey the possibility of utilization.

could be allocated

Substitutes "can be" with "could be" and "spend" with "allocated", suggesting a formal distribution.

might be devoted

Replaces "can be" with "might be" and "spend" with "devoted", indicating a dedication of resources.

is able to be spent

Rephrases the sentence to use "is able to be spent", emphasizing the ability to use something.

is permitted to be spent

Uses "is permitted to be spent" to indicate that the spending is allowed or authorized.

is allowed to be used

Replaces the entire phrase with "is allowed to be used", focusing on permission for usage.

is eligible for spending

Replaces the initial phrase with "is eligible for spending", highlighting eligibility.

can be utilized

Replaces "spend" with "utilized" making the phrase more formal, and correcting the grammatical structure.

can go toward

This is more informal and means that something can be used as a contribution to something else.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "can be spend" or "can be spent"?

The correct form is "can be spent". "Spend" is an irregular verb, and its past participle form is "spent", which should be used after auxiliary verbs like "can be".

How to correct the grammar error in "can be spend"?

To correct the grammar, replace "spend" with its past participle form, "spent". The corrected phrase is "can be spent", as in "The funds "can be spent" on research".

What are some alternatives to "can be spent"?

Alternatives include "may be used", "could be allocated", or "might be devoted". The phrase "can be spent" is more direct and generally applicable.

In what contexts is "can be spent" typically used?

"Can be spent" is commonly used in contexts discussing budgets, resource allocation, or financial planning. For example, "The budget "can be spent" on improving infrastructure".