spent on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spent on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the allocation of resources, typically money or time, towards a specific purpose or item. Example: "The funds were primarily spent on something that would benefit the community, such as building a new park."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human Resources for Health

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Tech

The Economist

Independent

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times - Magazine

Forbes

WikiHow

BBC

Vice

Huffington Post

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Furthermore, the results of two items ('it doesn't make sense for us to initiate this change' and 'the time we are spending on this change should be spent on something else') were dropped from the 'appropriateness' construct in addition to one item ('after this change, I expect to be recognized more for the work I do') from the 'personal valence' construct.

Human Resources for Health

At least £9bn was spent on something.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's $1.14bn spent on something; most likely the PlayBook.

The Guardian - Tech

Ideally, though, public money should be spent on something better than holes.

The Economist

That's a lot of money which could be spent on something useful".

Independent

Wouldn't the money be better spent on something more valuable, like schoolbooks?

The New York Times

It is a huge amount of money, spent on something which is not a part of its remit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

If you buy it, then I have $100 I can go spend on something else, but the reality is that no value has been created.

Forbes

It may be really tempting to make a big spend on something when a really big job pays you, but you must refrain from doing so.

WikiHow

How much do I have to spend on something so basic?

The New York Times

The purchasers of those bonds have less to spend on something else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spent on something", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being spent (time, money, effort) and what the purpose or item is. For instance, "The funds were primarily spent on something that would benefit the community, such as building a new park."

Common error

Avoid using "spent on something" without specifying the 'something'. Being too vague can reduce the impact of your statement. Instead of saying "A lot was spent on something", try "A lot was spent on improving infrastructure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spent on something" functions as a verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It indicates the act of allocating resources, typically money or time, towards a specific purpose or item. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spent on something" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the allocation of resources to a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news and media to scientific research. While generally neutral in register, it is important to maintain clarity by specifying what the 'something' refers to. Alternatives like "allocated to something" or "invested in something" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used for something

A general term for employing resources for a purpose.

expended on something

A more formal way of saying "spent on something".

invested in something

Focuses on the idea of a return or benefit from the expenditure.

applied to something

Suggests a specific and direct use of resources.

channeled into something

Suggests directing resources in a specific path or direction.

allocated to something

Emphasizes a formal or planned distribution of resources.

earmarked for something

Highlights that resources have been set aside for a particular purpose.

put towards something

Implies a contribution to a larger goal.

dedicated to something

Highlights commitment and purpose in the allocation.

devoted to something

Emphasizes strong dedication and focus.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spent on something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "allocated to something", "invested in something", or "expended on something" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "spent in something" instead of "spent on something"?

No, "spent in something" is not typically grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use is "on", as in "spent on something". "Spent in" usually refers to spending time "spent in" a location or activity.

What's the difference between "spent on something" and "wasted on something"?

"Spent on something" implies an allocation of resources to a purpose, while "wasted on something" suggests that the resources were used ineffectively or without achieving a worthwhile result.

How to avoid being too vague when using "spent on something"?

Ensure you clarify what the 'something' refers to. Instead of just saying "Money was spent on something", be specific: "Money was spent on research and development" or "Money was spent on infrastructure improvements".