expend on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expend on something" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "expand on something"? If this is the case, you can use it when you want someone to provide more details or elaborate on a particular topic. Example: "Could you please expand on your ideas regarding the new marketing strategy?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

No funds can be expended on projects without two-thirds approval of donors.

Huffington Post

cotton cultivation in India lies with the fact that the Indian cultivators are expending money on something for which they have insufficient knowledge (Stone, 2015).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

"It's the care we expend on their manuscripts.

The New Yorker

A lot of energy to expend on an adjective, it seems.

The New York Times

And the more persistent the customer, the more effort these companies expend on rebuffing them.

The Guardian - Money

The Administration has limited resources and domestic political support to expend on Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

And we did expend on our beachhead in Normandy during those first few hours.

Huffington Post

In layman's terms, while we're melting into puddles looking at small dogs on Facebook, we're basically expending energy that our bodies could better spend on something productive.

Vice

So in layman's terms, while we're melting into puddles looking at small dogs on Facebook, we're basically expending energy that our bodies could better spend on something productive.

Vice

But Edmund Gordon in the Sunday Times was less kind to "Mitchell's most ambitious book to date", in particular its elements of fantasy, the "war between two immortal groups, the benevolent Horologists and the malevolent Anchorites … It just feels a bit baffling that so much ambition, energy and talent has been expended on – or corrupted by – something so silly".

The Guardian - Books

I don't know about you, but I would rather expend my effort on something worthy of growth.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "expend on something". Instead, use the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase "spend on something".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "expend" where "spend" is more appropriate. Remember that "expend" generally implies a more complete or exhaustive use of something, whereas "spend" is a broader term. In most contexts, "spend" is the better choice. Consider rewording such as "spend on something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expend on something" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of using or consuming resources for a particular purpose. While Ludwig provides examples, the phrase is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while examples of the phrase "expend on something" can be found, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI highlights that it's better to use alternatives such as "spend on something", "invest in something", or "put effort into something" depending on the intended meaning. When in doubt, choose clearer and more common phrasing to ensure effective communication. Despite its presence in various sources, prioritize grammatical correctness and natural language use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend on something

Replaces "expend" with the more common and grammatically sound "spend".

invest in something

Emphasizes the idea of putting resources into something with the expectation of a return.

put effort into something

Focuses on the exertion of energy and effort rather than monetary expenditure.

devote to something

Highlights dedication and commitment of resources to a particular cause or purpose.

allocate to something

Suggests a formal or planned distribution of resources.

use for something

Offers a simple and direct way to express the utilization of resources.

apply to something

Implies directing resources or efforts toward a specific task or goal.

contribute to something

Highlights the act of giving or adding resources to a larger effort.

earmark for something

Indicates that resources are specifically reserved for a particular purpose.

allocate resources for something

This alternative phrase is more specific and emphasizes the allocation of resources for a particular purpose or project.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "expend on something"?

The more grammatically sound alternative is to use "spend on something".

Is "expend on something" grammatically correct?

No, "expend on something" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "spend on something" or "invest in something".

When should I use "spend" instead of "expend"?

"Spend" is a more general term applicable to both money and time. "Expend" implies a more exhaustive or complete use. Use "spend on something" in most contexts where you're talking about using resources.

What are some alternatives to "expend on something" that sound more natural?

Consider using phrases such as "spend on something", "invest in something", or "put effort into something" depending on the specific context you are trying to convey.