it has been spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been spent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain amount of time, money, or resources has already been used or consumed. Example: "After reviewing the budget, I realized that it has been spent on unnecessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Little of it has been spent.

The Economist

Instead it has been spent on expanding administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have about $8bn [£4.75bn] allocated from donors, so far only about 25% of it has been spent.

The Guardian

The money goes to the state's general fund, so it is difficult to pinpoint where it has been spent, said Dean Pagani, spokesman for Gov. John G. Rowland.

The New York Times

The insurers have already turned over $1.9 billion, and $1.6 billion of it has been spent on rent, legal and development fees and paying off the mortgage.

The New York Times

About $135m has been raised from the percentage collected on water tariffs, says Gammie, yet none of it has been spent on ecosystem services yet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The estimated $30 million a year it says it has been spending on its two signature products, Orange Clean and OxiClean, has been reallocated from infomercials to a campaign that uses 30-second television commercials.

The New York Times

A third major manufacturer, Toyota, is said to be reviewing the millions that it has been spending a year on its Formula One team, and has said it will make its decision known in November.

The New York Times - Sports

AT&T says it has been spending billions to upgrade its network, and said the overwhelming popularity of the iPhone and its many applications swamped AT&T's infrastructure.

Forbes

It has been spending largely and recklessly.

The Economist

Instead it has been spending lavishly on pipelines and downstream assets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been spent", ensure the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "the budget" or "the funds" instead of relying on context alone.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been spent" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "It has been spent unwisely", consider "They spent it unwisely" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been spent" functions as a passive construction within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that a particular resource, whether time, money, or effort, has been utilized or consumed. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts to convey the depletion or allocation of resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science & Research

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been spent" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the utilization of resources like money or time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its presence across varied sources, including news media and scientific publications, shows its versatility. While generally neutral in register, consider the context and subject (the 'it') to ensure clarity and appropriateness. Remember, this passive construction can sometimes be strengthened by rephrasing into an active voice for increased impact. Considering the provided examples, it's evident that "it has been spent" serves primarily to inform or report on resource allocation and consumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was used up

Focuses on complete consumption or utilization of something.

it was all used

Emphasizes the entirety of something being utilized.

it has been consumed

Highlights the act of using something completely, often referring to resources.

it has been utilized

Formally emphasizes the practical application of something.

it is gone

Simply states the disappearance or absence of something.

it was exhausted

Implies a complete depletion, often with a negative connotation.

it was invested

Focuses on use for future gain or benefit.

it was allocated

Refers to designating something for a particular purpose.

it was applied

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

it has been employed

Highlights using a resource or asset for some end.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been spent" in a sentence?

The phrase "it has been spent" is used to indicate that something, such as money or time, has already been used or consumed. For example: "The allocated budget was meant for development, but a large portion of "it has been spent" on administrative costs."

What can I say instead of "it has been spent"?

Alternatives to "it has been spent" include phrases like "it was used up", "it was consumed", or "it was utilized", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "it has been spent" or "it had been spent"?

Both "it has been spent" and "it had been spent" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "It has been spent" indicates a past action with relevance to the present, while "it had been spent" refers to a past action completed before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "it has been spent" and "it is spent"?

"It has been spent" describes a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present (present perfect tense), while "it is spent" describes a state of being in the present (present simple passive tense). For example, "The money "it has been spent"" (the money is gone now), vs. "The energy "it is spent"" (the energy is always used for something).