spends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of using time or money for a particular purpose. Example: "She spends a lot of time volunteering at the local shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If everyone who usually spends their days watching The Big Bang Theory was forced out to vote by a lack of anything else to do, we'll be plunged into the nightmarish reality of a socialist government come 8 May.

The Guardian

Leonard spends much of his time talking to people at the core of the EU, and of late, he has started to pick up rising worry about whether the UK might leave.

The Guardian

The government spends about £5bn a year on the railways, with Network Rail receiving £3.7bn of that investment in grants last year.

The Guardian

At Kinross High in Perthshire, some parents received a stinging note telling them: "The length of your daughter's skirt is such that she spends a great deal of time pulling it down.

The Guardian

Today, Hammerton works two days a week in private practice and spends the rest of her time as programme lead for physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University, where she helps train the next generation of physiotherapists.

The Guardian

In addition to their rent, each member of the commune spends £32 a week on bills and food.

The Guardian

The Shawshank Redemption Sleeper hit The Shawshank Redemption, stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne: a banker wrongly jailed for murdering his wife, who spends two decades getting sweet revenge on the corrupt governor, while plotting his own ingenious escape.

The Guardian

For a big brand that spends millions on TV it's time that YouTube budgets were six figures, not just five.

The Guardian

5. McNulty v Rawls Another example of the destructive power of personal rivalries – McNulty spends hours tracing tide patterns to relocate a murder into Rawls's district and Rawls refuses (for ages) to let McNulty work proper cases, despite it being his best shot at getting the murder rate down.

The Guardian

Our current tax and transfer system is devised to improve equality – and it does it very well given the actual small amount the government taxes and spends compared to other nations: The private income of the highest household income quintile is 13 times that of the lowest.

The Guardian - Business

But its makers, a group called Invisible Children, have been widely criticised by Ugandan journalists and other aid agencies for being self-promoting (the video spends much of its 28 minutes on its maker, Jason Russell and his young son, Gavin) and opaque about its use of funds – and for concentrating on an issue that has dramatically changed in recent years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial expenditures, be specific about what is being purchased or invested in. For instance, instead of saying "The company "spends" a lot of money", specify "The company "spends" $5 million annually on research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "spends" with abstract nouns that don't represent time or money. For example, instead of saying "He "spends" happiness", use a more appropriate verb like "He finds happiness" or "He experiences happiness".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spends" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of 'spend.' It describes the action of allocating or using time, money, or energy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and accepted usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "spends" is a verb used to describe the action of allocating or using resources like time or money. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. Its register is neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The phrase is very common, particularly in news and media, as well as formal business settings. When using "spends", it's best to be specific about the resources being used and to avoid using it with intangible nouns. Alternatives like "dedicates", "invests", and "devotes" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicates

Emphasizes commitment and purpose in allocating time or resources.

devotes

Suggests a strong sense of commitment and focus.

invests

Highlights the expectation of a return or benefit from the allocated time or resources.

allocates

Implies a formal or deliberate distribution of resources.

contributes

Suggests giving or devoting something to a specific cause or purpose.

utilizes

Focuses on the practical application and efficiency of using something.

allots

Implies a controlled and measured distribution.

consumes

Highlights the using up or depletion of a resource.

employs

Focuses on the active use of something, often a method or skill.

passes

Refers specifically to the act of using or experiencing time.

FAQs

How can I use "spends" in a sentence?

You can use "spends" to describe how someone uses their time or money. For example, "She "spends" her weekends volunteering" or "The government "spends" a large amount on education".

What can I say instead of "spends"?

You can use alternatives like "dedicates", "invests", or "devotes" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "spends time" or "spends on time"?

It is correct to say "spends time" or "spends time doing something". "Spends on time" is not grammatically correct. For example, "She "spends" time reading" is correct.

What's the difference between "spends" and "wastes"?

"Spends" implies using time or resources for a purpose, while "wastes" implies using them inefficiently or without a valuable outcome. For example, "She "spends" her money wisely" versus "She "wastes" her money on frivolous things".