spend their time

USAGE SUMMARY

"spend their time" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe how someone uses or occupies their time. Example: She spent her time reading books and exploring new hobbies during quarantine. In this sentence, the phrase "spent her time" shows what the subject was doing during a specific period of time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How do they spend their time?

The New York Times

Where they spend their time?

The New York Times - Books

How does your MP spend their time?

The Guardian

Journalists spend their time talking to specialists.

The Guardian

How did they spend their time?

The New York Times - Arts

What do they spend their time on?

The New York Times

Readers have other ways to spend their time.

The New York Times

They spend their time in parks and in subway stations.

The New York Times

They spend their time fussing over club rules.

The Economist

"They spend their time on second jobs, making money".

The New York Times

This isn't normally what the feds spend their time with.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing habits or routines, use "spend their time" to illustrate how individuals regularly engage in activities. For example, "They spend their time reading and exercising."

Common error

Instead of saying "Their time is spent...", use the active voice: "They spend their time..." This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend their time" functions as a verb phrase indicating how individuals allocate their hours. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, illustrating how people fill their days with various activities, from working and studying to pursuing hobbies and relaxing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spend their time" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe how individuals allocate their hours. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. It is used to describe activities and habits, emphasizing how people fill their days. Alternatives like "dedicate their time" or "devote their time" can add nuance, while avoiding passive voice constructions will enhance clarity. The high frequency and neutral register of "spend their time" make it a versatile and effective choice for describing the use of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devote their time

Implies a strong commitment or dedication to a specific cause or activity.

dedicate their time

Emphasizes a more purposeful and committed allocation of time.

allocate their time

Focuses on the strategic distribution of time among different activities.

invest their time

Highlights the potential return or benefit from how time is used.

occupy their time

Suggests filling time with activities, often to avoid boredom or idleness.

fill their time

Similar to "occupy their time", but with a slightly stronger connotation of completeness.

use their time

A more general and neutral way of expressing how time is utilized.

manage their time

Focuses on the efficiency and effectiveness of time usage.

structure their time

Highlights the organization and planning of activities within a given timeframe.

portion their time

Similar to "allocate their time", but suggests a more rigid or pre-determined division.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "spend their time"?

You can use alternatives such as "dedicate their time", "allocate their time", or "devote their time" depending on the context.

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

Use "spend their time" to describe how someone occupies themselves. For example, "Students spend their time studying and attending lectures."

Is it correct to say "spent their time"?

Yes, "spent their time" is the past tense form. For example, "They spent their time volunteering at the local shelter."

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

"Spend their time" is neutral and simply describes how time is used, while "waste their time" implies that time is being used in an unproductive or undesirable way.