he spends

USAGE SUMMARY

"he spends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the action of someone investing their time or resources in an activity or pursuit. For example, "He spends his free time volunteering at the local homeless shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He spends here, he spends there".

The New York Times

The rest he spends complaining.

The New Yorker

He spends most weekends there.

The New Yorker

He spends weekdays at Weeksville.

The New York Times

"He spends the night here.

The New York Times

It's the time he spends.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He spent little, he spent wisely.

The New York Times - Sports

He spent freely.

The Economist

He spent weekends sailing.

The New York Times

He figures he spent $100.

The New York Times - Sports

Then he spent 5 yrs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how someone uses their time or money, be specific. Instead of saying "he spends a lot of time", try "he spends hours honing his swing" to provide a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using the infinitive form of a verb directly after "spends" without proper conjugation. Instead of "he spends to travel", say "he spends money travelling" or "he spends time traveling".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he spends" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of allocating time, money, or energy. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in describing how someone invests resources, such as time spent praying or money allocated to specific purposes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he spends" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes how an individual allocates their resources, whether it's time, money, or energy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts. Its prevalence in news and media, as well as academic writings, underscores its neutrality and broad applicability. When using this phrase, specificity enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "he dedicates" or "he invests" for nuanced meaning. Be mindful of verb tense after "spends" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he dedicates

Focuses on the commitment of time and energy to a specific purpose.

he devotes

Similar to "he dedicates", highlighting a strong sense of commitment.

he allots

Emphasizes a planned distribution of resources or time.

he invests

Highlights the expectation of a return or benefit from the use of resources.

he occupies

Focuses on how someone fills their time or attention.

he employs

Emphasizes the active use of time, resources, or skills.

he occupies himself

Highlights the action of keeping himself busy.

he fills

Focuses on the action of making something full.

he passes

Emphasizes how someone progresses through a period of time.

he while away

Implies passing time in a relaxed or leisurely manner.

FAQs

How can I use "he spends" in a sentence?

You can use "he spends" to describe how someone uses their time, money, or energy. For example, "He spends his weekends volunteering" or "He spends his money on books".

What are some alternatives to "he spends"?

Alternatives include "he dedicates", "he devotes", or "he invests", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he spends his time to do something"?

It's more common and grammatically correct to say "he spends his time doing something" or "he spends time to do something". The gerund form (doing) emphasizes the activity, while the infinitive form (to do) suggests purpose.

What's the difference between "he spends time" and "he passes time"?

"He spends time" implies a deliberate allocation of time to an activity, whereas "he passes time" suggests a more casual or aimless way of occupying oneself. You could say, "He spends time studying" but "He passes time watching television".