he was spent

USAGE SUMMARY

'he was spent' is a correct, usable sentence in written English.
It is used to describe a feeling of being physically, mentally, and/or emotionally exhausted. For example, "After a full day of work, he was spent and went home to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Literature

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Now he was spent.

The New York Times

He was spent.

The Washington Post

At the end, he was spent.

The New Yorker

But he was spent.

The New York Times - Sports

After just 25 minutes, Escamilla says, he was spent.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he got through the year and, at that point, it was clear he was spent".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

He was spending money on us.

The New Yorker

"He was spending much more time communicating," Agent Foto said.

The New York Times

"I heard he was spending it on nonsense".

The New York Times

In July 1942 he was spending $720 million a month.

The New York Times - Books

That does not apply to Mr. Spitzer, since the money he was spending was his own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was spent" to vividly depict a state of complete exhaustion after intense physical or mental exertion. It's most effective when the context clearly establishes the cause of the depletion.

Common error

Avoid using "he was spent" when you mean "he spent" (active voice). "He was spent" indicates someone experienced the action of being used up, whereas "he spent" means he performed the action of spending something (e.g. money).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was spent" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of being. It utilizes the passive voice to highlight the subject's condition as a result of an implied action (being used up or exhausted). As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase indicates physical, mental, and/or emotional exhaustion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Literature

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was spent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a state of complete exhaustion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys physical, mental, or emotional depletion. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase can be used in various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using "he was spent", ensure you are accurately representing the subject as being acted upon, rather than performing an action themselves. For situations requiring alternatives, consider synonyms like "he was exhausted" or "he was worn out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was exhausted

Direct synonym, replacing "spent" with "exhausted" to convey the same meaning of extreme tiredness.

he was worn out

Similar in meaning, suggesting physical or mental fatigue to the point of depletion.

he was depleted

Focuses on the loss of resources or energy, similar to being spent.

he had run out of energy

Explains the state of being spent by directly stating the lack of energy.

he was drained

Implies that his energy has been completely taken away, leaving him empty.

he was completely knackered

British slang for being extremely tired, carrying the same weight as "spent".

he was running on fumes

Suggests operating with minimal energy reserves, almost at the point of stopping.

he couldn't go on any longer

Focuses on the inability to continue due to exhaustion, rather than just being tired.

he had nothing left

Emphasizes the total absence of resources or energy, often after great effort.

he had reached his limit

Indicates that he has arrived to the end of his capacities, whether physical or emotional.

FAQs

What does "he was spent" mean?

The phrase "he was spent" means that someone is completely exhausted, depleted of energy, or has reached the end of their physical or emotional resources. It implies a state of being used up or drained.

What can I say instead of "he was spent"?

You can use alternatives like "he was exhausted", "he was worn out", or "he was drained", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "he was spent" formal or informal?

"He was spent" is generally considered neutral in tone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might favor alternatives like "he was exhausted".

Can "he was spent" refer to emotional exhaustion?

Yes, "he was spent" can refer to emotional exhaustion as well as physical exhaustion. The context usually makes it clear whether the exhaustion is physical, emotional, or both.