spend less time

USAGE SUMMARY

"spend less time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to use less time for an activity or process. For example: "You should spend less time on your phone and more time studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mosquitoes spend less time whining.

The Guardian - Sport

2016: Spend less time on Twitter.

The New Yorker

They spend less time in deep non-REM sleep.

The New York Times

You spend less time fussing, waiting and missing photo ops.

The New York Times - Tech

Unless, of course, you've resolved to spend less time online.

The New York Times

When you do that, you spend less time managing.

The New York Times

And I want them to spend less time ticking boxes.

The Guardian

"You will spend less time in the shower".

The New Yorker

2017: Spend less time on Twitter than Donald Trump does.

The New Yorker

Already, we spend less time shopping in the physical world.

The New Yorker

Teachers spend less time directing instruction, and more time overseeing students as they work together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to prioritize tasks, use "spend less time" to suggest reducing focus on less important activities. For example, "Spend less time on social media and more time on your studies."

Common error

Don't just tell someone to "spend less time" without specifying where that time should be reallocated. Be specific for better results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend less time" functions as a verb phrase that expresses a recommendation or instruction to reduce the duration of an activity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spend less time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for advising a reduction in the duration of an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse writing styles. The phrase is most prevalent in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives such as "dedicate less time" may be considered. When using "spend less time", ensure you provide specific guidance on where the reallocated time should be directed for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate less time

Replaces "spend" with "dedicate", emphasizing allocation of time.

allocate less time

Similar to "dedicate less time", focuses on the distribution of time.

devote less time

Synonymous with "dedicate less time" and "allocate less time", highlighting commitment of time.

reduce time spent

Inverts the structure, focusing on the reduction of time used.

cut back on time

Uses a more informal phrasing with "cut back", suggesting a decrease in time investment.

minimize time spent

Emphasizes making the time investment as small as possible.

shorten time frame

Focuses on making a specific time period shorter.

limit time allocation

Highlights the act of setting a maximum for time used.

economize on time

Implies using time more efficiently.

streamline time usage

Focuses on making time usage more effective and efficient.

FAQs

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

You can use "spend less time" to advise someone to reduce the amount of time they dedicate to a specific activity. For example, "To be more productive, "spend less time" on unimportant tasks".

What's a more formal alternative to "spend less time"?

More formal alternatives include "dedicate less time", "allocate less time", or "devote less time". These options are suitable for professional settings.

Is it better to say "spend less time on" or "spend less time in"?

The preposition "on" is generally preferred when referring to activities or tasks (e.g., "spend less time on social media"). The preposition "in" can be used for locations (e.g., "spend less time in the office") but is less common with activities.

What's the difference between "spend less time" and "save time"?

"Spend less time" suggests reducing the duration of an activity. "Save time" implies using methods or strategies to accomplish tasks more quickly, which may or may not reduce the actual time spent. For example, you might "save time" by using a shortcut, allowing you to "spend less time" on the task.