spend considerable time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend considerable time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity which requires a significant amount of time. For example, "I have to spend considerable time each week studying for my courses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Lizards spend considerable time obtaining food, usually insects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Packers spend considerable time slinging the ball out of 3 x 1 receiver sets.

The New York Times

This is especially important to predatory species whose newly hatched nymphs might have to spend considerable time searching for prey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Therapists say that to affix the label, the trait or the diagnosis, one must spend considerable time with the person.

The New York Times

As a soon-to-begin online publication, we spend considerable time examining the relationship that people have with failure.

The New York Times - Magazine

As it is, she said, many professors spend considerable time writing and researching grants for things like computer labs.

The New York Times

Sprewell, his close friend and former teammate, is expected to spend considerable time with Webber this weekend.

The New York Times - Sports

Because my interns spend considerable time in Congressional offices opening mail, I do not find the statistical argument reassuring.

The New York Times

Billy King, the team's general manager, said in the preseason that he thought Plumlee would spend considerable time with the Springfield Armor, the club's Development League affiliate.

The New York Times - Sports

Most presidents of public universities spend considerable time cultivating relationships with the governor and the state legislature, and Dr. McCormick was no exception.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama intends to spend considerable time in both states, as well as in Wisconsin, which holds its primary Feb. 19.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spend considerable time", ensure the context clearly indicates the activity being performed and why the time investment is significant. For example, "Researchers spend considerable time analyzing data to identify key trends".

Common error

Avoid using "spend considerable time" in sentences where a simpler phrasing would suffice. Instead of "I spend considerable time reading", consider "I read a lot" or "I read often".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend considerable time" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of dedicating a significant amount of time to a particular activity. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spend considerable time" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe dedicating a significant amount of time to an activity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While alternatives like "dedicate a significant amount of time" or "invest a lot of time" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using "spend considerable time", it's crucial to ensure the context justifies the emphasis on time investment and to avoid overuse in simpler sentences. Overall, it's a valuable phrase to have in your writing toolkit for accurately conveying the allocation of time to various activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend a great deal of time

Uses a different quantifier ("great deal" instead of "considerable") to indicate a large amount of time.

invest a lot of time

Focuses on the investment aspect of time, highlighting the value placed on the activity.

dedicate a significant amount of time

Emphasizes the commitment and purpose behind allocating time to something.

devote considerable time

Similar to dedicate, but with a stronger sense of purpose and commitment.

allocate a lot of time

Focuses on the act of distributing or assigning time for a specific purpose.

put in a lot of hours

Highlights the number of hours spent, often implying effort and hard work.

take a long time

Emphasizes the duration of the activity rather than the deliberate allocation of time.

pass a lot of time

Focuses on how someone is passing time by a certain activity.

occupy oneself for hours

Focuses on filling time with an activity.

labor for hours

Emphasizes the effort behind spending time on a task.

FAQs

How can I use "spend considerable time" in a sentence?

Use "spend considerable time" to describe dedicating a significant amount of time to an activity. For example, "The team will "spend considerable time" testing the software before release".

What are some alternatives to "spend considerable time"?

Alternatives include "dedicate a significant amount of time", "devote considerable time", or "invest a lot of time", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "spend considerable time" or "spend a lot of time"?

"Spend considerable time" and "spend a lot of time" are similar, but "spend considerable time" implies a more significant or noteworthy duration. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "spend considerable time" and "waste considerable time"?

"Spend considerable time" is neutral, indicating time devoted to an activity. "Waste considerable time" implies that the time was used ineffectively or on something unproductive. The key difference is the outcome or value derived from the time spent.