spent the weekend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spent the weekend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how you utilized your time during the weekend, often in a past context. Example: "I spent the weekend hiking in the mountains and enjoying nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spent the weekend….

The New Yorker

Others spent the weekend in the pub.

The New Yorker

Hazel spent the weekend in bed.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama spent the weekend campaigning in Florida.

The New York Times

Spent the weekend in Connecticut.

The New Yorker

He spent the weekend fishing.

The New York Times

Scheuermann spent the weekend mostly sleeping.

The New Yorker

Blair had spent the weekend at Chequers.

The Guardian - Business

And we spent the weekend bathing together.

The New York Times

I've spent the weekend playing "pervasive games".

The Guardian

He and his legal team spent the weekend reviewing petitions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spent the weekend" to clearly and concisely describe how someone utilized their time during the weekend, whether it was for work, leisure, or a specific activity.

Common error

Avoid using "spent the weekend" when referring to only a portion of the weekend. Be specific if you only engaged in the activity for a day or part of a day.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spent the weekend" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a clause to describe how someone utilized their time during a specific period. Ludwig AI validates its common and correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spent the weekend" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe how one utilized their time during the weekend. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this expression appears frequently in news, media, and other various contexts. While alternatives like "passed the weekend" or "enjoyed the weekend" exist, "spent the weekend" remains a versatile and widely understood choice for conveying weekend activities. Remember to use "spend" for future intentions and "spent" for past actions to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed the weekend

Replaces "spent" with "passed", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning of how the weekend was occupied.

enjoyed the weekend

Focuses on the positive aspect of the weekend experience, suggesting a pleasant or fulfilling time.

occupied the weekend

Emphasizes that the weekend was filled with activities, possibly implying a structured or busy schedule.

filled the weekend

Similar to "occupied the weekend", highlighting the act of engaging in various activities during the weekend.

whiled away the weekend

Suggests a relaxed and leisurely way of spending the weekend, often implying relaxation and enjoyment.

devoted the weekend

Indicates that the weekend was dedicated to a specific purpose or activity, highlighting commitment and focus.

invested the weekend

Implies that the weekend was used in a way that provides some form of return, such as learning or personal growth.

took a weekend

This alternative refers to taking time over the course of the weekend. This is less focused on activities that were actually done.

had a weekend

This phrase is far more neutral and it does not say whether it was positive or negative or even if any specific activity was done.

underwent the weekend

This slightly satirical, mostly negative alternative implies that there was some negativity or hardship involved.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "spent the weekend" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "devoted the weekend" or "dedicated the weekend" to [activity], indicating a specific purpose or focus during that time.

What are some casual alternatives to "spent the weekend"?

In casual conversation, you might say "hung out over the weekend", "chilled out over the weekend", or simply "what I did this weekend" when recounting your activities.

Is it correct to say "spend the weekend" or should it always be "spent the weekend"?

"Spend the weekend" is used when referring to future plans or intentions, while "spent the weekend" is used when talking about completed actions in the past. For example, "I plan to spend the weekend relaxing", versus, "I spent the weekend relaxing".

How does "spent the weekend" differ from "took the weekend off"?

"Spent the weekend" focuses on how time was utilized, whereas "took the weekend off" emphasizes the absence of work or other obligations. You can "spend the weekend working", but you "take the weekend off" to avoid working.