should be spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be spent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how resources, such as time or money, ought to be allocated or utilized. Example: "The budget for this project should be spent wisely to ensure maximum impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How many "political-action points" should be spent on advertising?

The New Yorker

Part of this money should be spent on students".

The New York Times

Their money should be spent on their families and friends.

The New York Times

This is money that should be spent on patients.

Independent

How much time should be spent reading papers?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Time should be spent documenting what now exists.

Harvard University

That money should be spent creating more content".

The New York Times

In addition, time should be spent alone with each animal.

The New York Times

The debate is around how this money should be spent.

The Guardian - Sport

More time should be spent in purposeful activity.

The Guardian

They differ, however, on how the proceeds should be spent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, clearly specify the subject (what "should be spent") and the object (what it should be spent on) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be spent" without clearly defining what is being spent. For example, instead of saying "Money should be spent wisely", specify "The project budget should be spent wisely on research and development".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be spent" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or obligation regarding the allocation of resources (time, money, effort, etc.). It indicates how something ought to be utilized, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be spent" is a common and grammatically sound way to express recommendations or obligations regarding resource allocation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. To ensure clarity, specify what "should be spent" and on what it should be spent. While alternatives like "ought to be allocated" exist, "should be spent" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice for conveying advisable resource utilization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be allocated

Replaces "should" with "ought to", conveying a similar sense of obligation or advisability in resource distribution.

should be allocated towards

Specifies the direction or purpose of the spending, adding clarity to the allocation.

should be devoted to

Suggests a dedicated and focused allocation of resources to a specific cause or purpose.

needs to be invested

Shifts focus to investment rather than general spending, implying a return or benefit from the expenditure.

should be utilized for

Highlights the practical application and effective use of resources for a particular objective.

must be dedicated

Emphasizes a stronger sense of necessity or commitment in allocating the resource.

should be channeled into

Suggests directing resources into a specific area or system, often for a focused impact.

is best used for

Focuses on optimal utilization, suggesting the resource has the highest value when spent in a particular way.

is advisable to expend on

Emphasizes that something is recommended to be spent on something else.

could be allocated

Presents a possible or alternative allocation, suggesting flexibility and choice.

FAQs

How can I use "should be spent" in a sentence?

Use "should be spent" to recommend resource allocation. For example, "More money "should be spent" on education" suggests an advisable allocation of funds.

What are some alternatives to saying "should be spent"?

Alternatives include "ought to be allocated", "needs to be invested", or "must be dedicated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "should be spent" or "should be spend"?

"Should be spent" is the correct form. "Spend" is the base form of the verb, and "spent" is the past participle, which is required after the auxiliary verb "be" in the passive voice.

In what contexts is "should be spent" most appropriate?

"Should be spent" is suitable for discussions about budgets, project planning, and resource management, where recommendations or ideal allocations are being considered.