spend substantial time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spend substantial time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the amount of time dedicated to an activity or task, emphasizing that it is significant or considerable. Example: "To master a new language, one must be willing to spend substantial time practicing and immersing oneself in the culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Students can expect to spend substantial time in work-study placements with local businesses.

The New York Times

Gen. Charles C. Campbell, said his assessment team would spend substantial time in Afghanistan before presenting recommendations to Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander of the Central Command, which directed the war in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Second, very few evolutionary biologists have a first-hand understanding of macroevolution, and they do not spend substantial time on it in their college courses.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Technology experts have worried that such a decision might stifle innovation by requiring companies to spend substantial time and effort ensuring that new products don't invite lawsuits by media companies before they can be released.

Forbes

Others, such as the Iwama style of Morihiro Saito, usually spend substantial time with bokken and jō, practised under the names aiki-ken, and aiki-jō, respectively.

Wikipedia

In Mufindi, in particular, women spend substantial time on farming activities in efforts to raise their family and personal cash incomes.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But lawyers who have spent substantial time investigating prison conditions say guards are too quick to assume consent.

The New York Times

Calling the project "the most important redevelopment project undertaken by the city in recent times," the mayor listed the officials with whom he spends substantial time talking about it.

The New York Times

Both candidates have also spent substantial time courting the city's sizable gay community, which may prove to be the deciding factor but has not unified around either candidate.

The New York Times

Ms. Washburn, who has spent substantial time in China, isn't dabbling here: her conviction is clear, as is her chemistry with the ensemble, which features Béla Fleck on banjo, Casey Driessen on fiddle and Ben Sollee on cello.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, Mr. Kochis cautioned, "stock picking is not for the casual, lay investor," although a handful of his clients who have spent substantial time and effort on research have been successful in fairly aggressive online trading.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance impact, consider quantifying "substantial time" with a more specific duration (e.g., "spend several hours", "dedicate multiple weeks"). This provides readers with a clearer understanding of the time commitment involved.

Common error

Avoid using "spend substantial time" without clarifying the specific activity or goal. Being vague about where time is being directed can diminish the phrase's impact and leave the reader questioning the value of that investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend substantial time" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to indicate the allocation of a significant amount of time to a specific activity. Ludwig's examples show it connects a subject with the action of investing time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spend substantial time" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the allocation of a significant amount of time to an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. To maximize its impact, be sure to clarify the specific activity or goal. While generally neutral in tone, it's particularly well-suited to formal and professional contexts. Remember to consider alternatives like "invest significant time" or "dedicate considerable time" to vary your language. With a very common occurrence in a wide array of sources, the phrase “spend substantial time” is a solid addition to any vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invest significant time

Replaces "spend" with "invest", highlighting the effort as a valuable allocation of resources.

dedicate considerable time

Substitutes "spend" with "dedicate" and "substantial" with "considerable", emphasizing commitment and focus.

devote a significant amount of time

Replaces "spend" with "devote" and expands "substantial time" to "a significant amount of time", adding detail.

allocate a large portion of time

Uses "allocate" instead of "spend" and quantifies "substantial time" as "a large portion of time", focusing on resource management.

commit a considerable period

Emphasizes a long duration commitment, swapping "time" for "period".

invest a good deal of time

Uses more colloquial terms "good deal" but conveys a similar degree of duration or frequency.

put a lot of time into

Uses a more informal phrasing focused on effort.

concentrate efforts over time

Shifts the focus to effort, extending through some unspecified duration of time.

immerse oneself for a prolonged period

Focuses on deep engagement over a considerable timeframe.

linger at length

Emphasizes the duration of the activity. Shorter length.

FAQs

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

You can use "spend substantial time" to describe dedicating a significant amount of time to a particular activity. For instance, "Students often "spend substantial time" studying for exams".

What are some alternatives to "spend substantial time"?

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

Is it better to quantify "substantial time"?

While "spend substantial time" is acceptable, quantifying the time can provide clarity. Instead of ""spend substantial time"", consider saying "spend several hours" or "dedicate multiple weeks" for more precision.

What's the difference between "spend substantial time" and "waste time"?

"Spend substantial time" implies a deliberate allocation of time towards a specific activity, whereas "waste time" suggests unproductive or aimless use of time. The key difference lies in the intention and outcome of the time spent.