spent ample time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spent ample time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a significant or sufficient amount of time was dedicated to an activity or task. Example: "She spent ample time preparing for the presentation to ensure everything was perfect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

On board, passengers spent ample time exploring the ship, which is 78 feet wide.

The New York Times - Travel

A media-company C.E.O. who has spent ample time with the Murdochs says, "When I'm with the three of them, Lachlan's the guy".

The New Yorker

For his services, Mr. Alvarez, who said he has spent ample time in Los Angeles County jail, earned the standard union day rate, about $675.

The New York Times - Style

Koecher looks like your grandfather, if your grandfather could beat lie detector tests, speak five languages, and had spent ample time in the 1970s at both swingers parties and battling wits with the KGB and CIA.

The Guardian

When I was working with Redford — as good a mensch as I ever met in the business — we spent ample time together, and his publicist, the late Lois Smith, never came along.

The New Yorker

— STEVE ADAMEK Why is Tiger Woods wincing and shaking his left arm after he swings??? — Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) 13 Jun 13 In other early-round non-Tiger/Rory/Phil/Adam news, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood — two Brits who've spent ample time on the "best player never to have won a major" list — are off to solid starts after five holes at 1-under.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

How do you explain why living alone, or just spending ample time by yourself, might encourage a person to be more social?

The New York Times

Mr. Hornsby, 35, is a member of a rising class of actors and comedians who are spending ample time off camera as well as on.

The New York Times - Arts

Page B14 Arts AN ACTOR WITH EQUAL TIME ON AND OFF CAMERA David Hornsby is a member of a rising class of actors and comedians who are spending ample time off camera as well as on.

The New York Times

From his meltdowns in majors to his private disappointments, the Queensland native who projects such vigor and confidence as he strides down a fairway or into a boardroom has been obliged to spend ample time contemplating and coping with human frailty.

The New York Times - Sports

"Homeland," like all the best cable dramas, spends ample time exploring the emotional and psychological lives of its characters, but it is first and foremost a spy thriller — a genre show whose most thrilling moments are driven by violence, intrigue, and a breakneck plot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spent ample time", ensure that the context clearly indicates what activity the time was devoted to. For instance, instead of just saying "He spent ample time", specify "He spent ample time researching the topic".

Common error

Avoid using "spent ample time" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. For example, instead of "Ample time was spent by the team", prefer "The team spent ample time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spent ample time" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of dedicating a significant amount of time to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and usable. Examples show it is used to describe time devoted to various activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spent ample time" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the allocation of a sufficient amount of time to a particular activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral, it can add a touch of formality depending on the setting. For alternatives, consider phrases like "devoted considerable time" or "dedicated substantial time". Remember to specify the activity the time was dedicated to for clarity and to avoid overusing passive constructions. This phrase, while simple, conveys a sense of thoroughness and commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicated ample time

Alternative wording with near-identical meaning.

devoted considerable time

Emphasizes dedication and effort, rather than just the time spent.

dedicated substantial time

Highlights the importance of the time given.

spent a good deal of time

Replaces "ample" with a more colloquial expression.

invested significant time

Focuses on the time as an investment with an expected return.

allocated plenty of time

Indicates a planned distribution of time, suggesting foresight.

committed significant time

Emphasizes the commitment to spending the time.

put in considerable time

Highlights the effort involved in spending the time.

gave sufficient time

Highlights the act of providing enough time.

took the time

A simpler expression focusing on making time available.

FAQs

How can I use "spent ample time" in a sentence?

You can use "spent ample time" to indicate that someone dedicated a significant amount of time to a particular activity. For example: "She "spent ample time" preparing for the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "spent ample time"?

Some alternatives include "devoted considerable time", "dedicated substantial time", or "invested significant time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "spent ample time" or "spent a lot of time"?

"Spent ample time" is more formal and suggests a sufficient or more-than-sufficient amount of time was dedicated, whereas "spent a lot of time" is less formal and more general. The choice depends on the register you're aiming for.

What's the difference between "spent ample time" and "wasted ample time"?

"Spent ample time" implies that the time was used purposefully, even if the outcome isn't explicitly stated. "Wasted ample time" indicates that the time was used ineffectively or without achieving a valuable result.