spend time doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"spend time doing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase any time you want to describe how someone spends their time engaging in a certain activity. For example you could say, "I like to spend time doing yoga and meditation every morning to start my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I spend time doing what I love to do.

The New York Times

Already, many spend time doing work in the halls.

The New York Times

Spend time doing the work that your team actually does.

Harvard Business Review

Ask about their day, get involved in activities they enjoy, spend time doing things together.

Harvard University

"Versus spending hours in a store, they can spend time doing things that are fun," she says.

The New York Times

"I earn very little but I'd rather spend time doing something I'm really interested in - and that's fun".

The Guardian

The fact that teachers need to spend time doing something other than teaching was evident yesterday at International High School.

The New York Times

"The kids used to say, 'We'd never tell our friends that we spend time doing this,' " she says.

The Guardian - Tech

I mean, how much of a scene can I cause when I spend time doing crossword puzzles?

The New York Times

Then spend time doing that.

Forbes

This is your chance to spend time doing something that you enjoy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how you allocate your time, be specific about the activity: instead of saying "I spend time doing things", try "I spend time doing yoga and meditation."

Common error

Avoid using "spend time doing" in overly passive constructions that weaken the sentence. For instance, instead of "Time was spent doing irrelevant tasks", prefer "They spent time on irrelevant tasks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spend time doing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of allocating time to a specific activity. Ludwig shows that is mainly used to describe how individuals utilize their time, whether for work, leisure, or personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spend time doing" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes the allocation of time to a specific activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, though being mindful of overuse in passive voice is important. To enhance clarity and impact, replace it with semantically similar alternatives like "dedicate time to" or "invest time in" to fine-tune the nuance. Remember to specify the activity for better clarity, and you'll effectively communicate how you or others are using their time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate time to doing

Emphasizes a commitment or intention in allocating time.

invest time in doing

Suggests an expectation of a return or benefit from the time spent.

devote time to doing

Similar to dedicate, implying a strong sense of commitment.

allocate time to doing

Focuses on the formal distribution of time for a specific purpose.

make time for doing

Highlights the effort required to find time within a busy schedule.

set aside time to do

Suggests reserving a specific period for an activity.

find time to do

Emphasizes the act of discovering or creating time.

take the time to do

Highlights the deliberate decision to engage in an activity.

use time to do

Focuses on the application of time towards a specific end.

enjoy time doing

Highlights the enjoyment derived from the activity

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spend time doing" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "dedicate time to", "allocate time to", or "devote time to" which emphasize commitment or purpose.

Is there a difference between "spend time doing" and "invest time in doing"?

"Spend time doing" generally describes how time is used, while "invest time in" implies an expectation of future benefit or return from the activity.

What are some alternatives to "spend time doing" for emphasizing enjoyment?

If you want to emphasize the pleasure derived from an activity, you could say "enjoy time doing" or "have fun doing".

How to use "spend time doing" in a sentence?

You can use "spend time doing" to describe how someone allocates their time to a particular activity. For example: "I spend time doing research for my project" or "She likes to spend time doing volunteer work".