spend significant time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend significant time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that a particular task or activity will take a lot of effort, preparation, or dedication. For example: "I plan to spend significant time this summer developing my photography skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They also spend significant time building their own games.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are no statistical records on how many families spend significant time with former spouses.

The New York Times - Style

For this reason, producers spend significant time and resources evaluating their soap's impact.

The New York Times

Arts and humanities departments across UK universities spend significant time and effort recruiting PhD students to study with them.

The Guardian

In general, for the group process to occur more effectively, members must spend significant time working together.

Yale University

Becoming a better programmer requires that you spend significant time practicing, much like a musician or an athlete.

Cornell University

"Every single technician, whether they're from Greenwich or Abu Dhabi, will spend significant time at the factory.

The New York Times

They are not going to spend significant time on many votes, though obviously the Tesla-SolarCity merger will receive a bit more attention than most.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I spent significant time with her.

The New Yorker

We spent significant time talking about that.

The Washington Post

Arizona spent significant time working on punt protection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spend significant time" when you want to emphasize the importance of allocating substantial time to a particular activity for achieving a desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "spend significant time" when the time commitment is actually minimal or routine. Reserve it for situations where the time investment is truly noteworthy and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend significant time" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of allocating a notable amount of time to a particular activity. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe dedicating time to various tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

27%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spend significant time" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the act of dedicating a considerable amount of time to an activity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently found in contexts such as news, academia, and science. Related phrases include "devote considerable time" and "invest substantial time". When using this phrase, ensure the time investment is genuinely noteworthy and avoid overstating the commitment. Remember to choose the correct tense based on the context, using "spend" for present/future and "spent" for past actions. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devote considerable time

Emphasizes dedication to a task over a specific duration.

invest substantial time

Highlights the investment aspect, implying effort towards future gains.

dedicate a lot of time

Focuses on the act of setting aside time for a purpose.

allocate considerable time

Stresses a formal assignment of time to an activity.

put in a lot of hours

Highlights the quantity of time spent, often implying hard work.

spend a great deal of time

A more emphatic version with a clearer focus on the 'great deal'.

immerse oneself in

Suggests a deeper, more engaging investment of time.

concentrate efforts on

Shifts focus to the intensity of effort during the time spent.

labor extensively at

Suggests more laborious, intensive work over a period.

burn the midnight oil

An idiomatic expression focusing on late-night work.

FAQs

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

You can use "spend significant time" to describe dedicating a notable amount of time to a task. For example, "The researchers "spend significant time" analyzing the data."

What can I say instead of "spend significant time"?

Alternatives include "devote considerable time", "invest substantial time", or "dedicate a lot of time", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "spend significant time" or "spent significant time"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "spend significant time" for present or future actions. Use "spent significant time" when referring to a past action.

What's the difference between "spend significant time" and "spend a little time"?

"Spend significant time" implies a large or noteworthy time investment, while "spend a little time" suggests a minimal or brief duration. They are opposites in terms of the amount of time involved.