spending money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spending money" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone expending money in any capacity, such as buying goods or services, investing in stocks, donating to charity, etc. For example: "My parents always warned me about spending money foolishly, but I never listened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're not spending money".

The New York Times

They're spending money here.

The New York Times

Spending money, however, is easy.

The Economist

Good at spending money.

The Guardian - Tech

What about spending money?

The Guardian - Money

Nobody was spending money.

The Guardian - Books

"People should know they are spending money.

The New York Times

But spending money wisely also matters.

The Economist

She was just another politician spending money".

The New York Times

But wait, people are spending money online?

The New York Times

Meanwhile, what am I spending money on?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about economic activity, clarify the purpose of "spending money" to provide context. For instance, specify if it's for investment, consumption, or government expenditure.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear whose money is being spent. For example, instead of "spending money is up", specify "consumer spending money is up" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spending money" functions primarily as a noun phrase or gerund phrase. It refers to the act or process of using money, as seen in examples from Ludwig such as "People should know they are spending money" or "Quit spending money we don't have."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spending money" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the act of using funds. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, from personal finance to economic analysis. Its register is typically neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While it frequently appears in News & Media sources, it's also present in Wiki and Science domains. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about whose money is being spent and the specific purpose of the expenditure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making purchases

Highlights the act of buying goods or services.

expending funds

Focuses on the formal action of using funds, often in a business context.

laying out money

Suggests a deliberate and often significant expenditure.

disbursing cash

Implies a more official or controlled release of money.

shelling out money

Informal way of describing spending, often reluctantly.

allocating resources

Emphasizes the strategic distribution of financial resources.

investing capital

Specifically refers to spending money with the expectation of future returns.

loaning money

Action of borrow or giving something with a condition to be returned

footing the bill

Implies paying for something, often a shared expense.

running up a bill

Suggests accumulating expenses, often without careful consideration.

FAQs

What does "spending money" mean?

The phrase "spending money" refers to the act of using funds to purchase goods, services, or investments.

How can I use "spending money" in a sentence?

You might say, "Consumers are "spending money" on travel this year" or "The government is "spending money" on infrastructure projects".

What are some alternatives to "spending money"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "expending funds", "making purchases", or "allocating resources".

Is it better to say "spending money" or "spend money"?

"Spending money" is typically used as a gerund or noun phrase, while "spend money" is used as a verb. For example, "Spending money wisely is important" versus "We need to "spend money" on repairs".