spending excessive time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spending excessive time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the amount of time dedicated to an activity, often implying that the time spent is more than what is reasonable or necessary. Example: "He is spending excessive time on social media instead of focusing on his studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But Republicans, even as they celebrate their own fund-raising advantage, are trying to make Mr. Obama's exertions a political issue, suggesting that he is not paying enough attention to his job, is spending excessive time with wealthy Hollywood stars and New York glitterati and has lost touch with the economic concerns of ordinary people.

The New York Times

However, when considering the ease of use of the user interface, too many layers may lead to users spending excessive time controlling the car audio system.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The game was well received by reviewers, who appreciated the improvements in the accessibility of the game, allowing players to immediately jump in and play without spending excessive time in the game's menus.

Wikipedia

"The inmates have a reason to look forward to the day instead of spending excessive time in their cells and with other inmates and bemoaning their situation in life.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Fomo (fear of missing out) may sound like a silly acronym, but it can drive people to spend excessive time staring at social media feeds, anxious that they may miss a social opportunity or be left out.

The Guardian

In caveman days they gathered firewood, invented tools, killed wild animals, and spent excessive time butting heads with dinosaurs; a sport well suited for thick skulls.

Huffington Post

The myth that "AIPAC will beat you if you don't toe the line" continues to hold strong, and so it can be expected that many members, despite their resentment of AIPAC and Netanyahu's pressure, will spend excessive time and energy between now and next November playing "make up" by proving their support for Israel.

Huffington Post

Many of these resulted in patients having to spend excessive time accessing care.

BMC Family Practice

Nonetheless, since most adolescents do not commute actively to school, do not spend much time on PA and spend excessive time in sedentary behaviours, 9 it is important to highlight sport participation.

BMJ Open

Indeed, for other items, where specifying more than two plausible options would be difficult, item writers would not be obliged to spend excessive time trying to construct additional, potentially poor quality options.

BMC Medical Education

The predilections of these two writers for photographing and spending excessive amounts of time with other people's children may appear suspect to modern sensibilities, but Carroll and Barrie knew what children wanted in their stories precisely because they were so deeply invested in finding ways to win their attention and affection in real life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spending excessive time", clearly identify the activity and the negative consequence of over-allocation of time. This provides context and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "spending excessive time" without specifying what the time is being spent on, or without linking it to a tangible negative outcome. Clarity ensures the statement has impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spending excessive time" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a verb or noun phrase to indicate that an action or activity is consuming more time than is considered reasonable or efficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spending excessive time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes dedicating more time to something than is necessary or beneficial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression in written English. Usage varies across contexts, being frequently found in news, scientific, and general writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specifying the activity and its consequences strengthens the message. Alternatives like "wasting too much time" or "devoting an inordinate amount of time" can offer nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasting too much time

Focuses on the unproductive nature of the time spent.

devoting an inordinate amount of time

Emphasizes the disproportionate allocation of time.

spending a disproportionate time

Highlights the imbalance in time allocation.

allocating excessive time

Highlights on the action of allocating the time.

overspending time

Implies a surplus of time dedicated to something.

getting caught up

Suggests being engrossed in something for too long.

lingering too long

Focuses on extending time beyond what is needed.

indulging in excessive hours

Emphasizes the self-indulgent nature of the time spent.

being absorbed for hours

Highlights a state of being completely engrossed for extended periods.

investing too much time

Suggests that there is a low ROI by investing too much time on something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spending excessive time" in a more formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "devoting an inordinate amount of time" or "allocating a disproportionate amount of time" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "spending excessive time" that imply a negative consequence?

Phrases like "wasting too much time" or "getting caught up" often carry an implicit criticism or suggestion of inefficiency.

Is it always negative to say someone is "spending excessive time" on something?

While often negative, the phrase can be neutral depending on context. It emphasizes the amount of time without necessarily judging its worth, though a negative implication is common.

What's the difference between "spending excessive time" and "investing too much time"?

"Spending excessive time" simply highlights the duration, while "investing too much time" implies an expectation of return that is not being met, suggesting a poor use of resources.