spend additional time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend additional time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of allocating more time to a task or activity than originally planned. Example: "To ensure the project meets our quality standards, we may need to spend additional time on the final review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

While they spend about 81.2 hours in the cockpit on average, they spend additional time on other duties.

The New York Times

Living at home allowed me to spend additional time with my older brother who has a disability.

The New York Times

While contracts with the airlines limit them to about 80 hours in the cockpit, they spend additional time on other duties.

The New York Times

And while U.S. clients trust domestic-supplier staff to ask for clarification when needed, they spend additional time questioning offshore-supplier staff to ensure understanding.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Make sure you have other activities scheduled for your day, and do not ignore other plans you have made to spend additional time on the genealogy site.

Harvard University

Adhere to schedules, but be flexible enough to incorporate new ideas or to spend additional time where it may be needed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

In addition, Plymouth was also low on supplies due to spending additional time during the growing season building fortifications, rather than growing crops.

Wikipedia

Some of the players spent additional time analyzing video.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, Edoardo Fallaci was spared, though he spent additional time in jail.

The New Yorker

Fitzgerald Sr .believes his son's situation is unrelated to Clarett's because Fitzgerald spent additional time in high school.

The New York Times - Sports

"Backups have resulted in individuals spending additional time in Border Patrol custody in increasingly crowded conditions," Mr. Hastings said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spend additional time", ensure the context clearly indicates the original time allocation or expectation, providing a clear understanding of what the additional time is relative to. For example, specify the standard process first, and explain then when one might "spend additional time" on a task.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who is doing the spending. Instead of saying "Additional time was spent", specify who spent the time, such as "The team spent additional time" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend additional time" functions as a verb phrase, where "spend" is the main verb and "additional time" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability, showcasing its role in expressing the act of allocating extra time to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

29%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spend additional time" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the allocation of extra time to a task or activity. Ludwig confirms its validity and showcases its frequent use across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for diverse communication settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the original time allocation and the reason for the additional time. Consider alternatives like "dedicate more time" or "allocate extra time" for more formal contexts. Avoid passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and specify who is spending the time. Ludwig's analysis indicates that "spend additional time" is a versatile and useful phrase for conveying the investment of extra time into a specific endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate more time

Focuses on the act of setting aside time intentionally.

allocate extra time

Highlights the process of distributing or assigning time.

invest further time

Emphasizes the commitment and potential return on using more time.

devote additional time

Stresses the act of applying oneself and one's time to a task.

put in more hours

More specific to work or tasks quantified by hours.

extend the time

Focuses on making an existing time period longer.

lengthen the duration

A more formal way to say "extend the time".

prolong the period

Similar to "extend the time" but implies a more significant extension.

give more attention

Shifts the focus from time to the amount of focus or care given.

spend more resources

Broadens the scope to include resources beyond just time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spend additional time" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "dedicate more time", "allocate extra time", or "devote additional time" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "spending additional time"?

Yes, "spending additional time" is grammatically correct and can be used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "Spending additional time on research improved the accuracy of the results."

What's the difference between "spend additional time" and "take additional time"?

"Spend additional time" emphasizes the act of allocating time to a task, while "take additional time" focuses on the act of requiring or using more time than initially planned. The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing the allocation or the usage.

When should I use "spend additional time" instead of just "spend more time"?

Use "spend additional time" when you want to emphasize that the time being allocated is an addition to a previously planned or expected duration. "Spend more time" is a general statement, while "spend additional time" implies a specific increase over an established baseline.