spent up

USAGE SUMMARY

"spent up" is not considered to be proper or standard English.
It is not the correct phrase to use when speaking or writing in English. The most commonly used phrase in this context is "used up". Example: I had saved up enough money for the trip, but I ended up using it all up.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some of the leaders had spent up to 14 days in custody.

The New York Times

He spent up to $100 a visit, all to spend time with the intriguing cashier.

The New York Times

Police believe the criminals responsible could have spent up to six months digging the passageway.

Independent

The report found some young people had spent up to a year on adult wards.

The Guardian

Boys used social media less, but they spent up to six hours a day gaming.

The Guardian

The two spent up to 90 minutes a day with Felix answering a variety of questions.

The New York Times

Ms. Bhuyian said she typically slept six hours a night and spent up to 12 hours a day reading.

The New York Times

The purple martins spent up to a month in Mexico en route to their winter homes, for instance.

The Guardian

Bingham spent up to 100 days a year with Ali, accompanying him on his frequent trips abroad.

The Guardian - Arts

They spent up to an hour at every level ushering scores of terrified shoppers – and screening them simultaneously – to safety.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I am not surprised that so little has been spent up-to-date.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing investments of time or money, consider alternatives such as "invested" or "spent" for better accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "spent up" in formal writing. Relying on this phrase in professional settings can detract from your writing. Use more formal alternatives like "exhausted" or "utilized" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spent up" functions as a phrasal verb, often indicating the completion or exhaustion of something, whether it's time, resources, or energy. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that it might be more appropriate to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "spent up" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It often conveys the idea of completion or exhaustion of resources, time, or energy. However, due to its non-standard usage, alternative phrases such as "used up", "exhausted", or "invested" may provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal and professional contexts. Therefore, while "spent up" is relatively common, writers should exercise caution and consider more precise alternatives for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used up

This alternative focuses on the completion of using something entirely.

exhausted

This alternative refers to being completely depleted of energy, resources, or patience.

devoted

This alternative focuses on dedicating time or resources to a particular purpose.

invested

This alternative suggests putting resources or time into something with the expectation of a return.

consumed

This alternative implies complete utilization or absorption of something.

finished

This alternative refers to bringing something to an end or completing it.

depleted

This alternative focuses on the reduction of something to a low level or point.

allocated

This alternative refers to distributing resources or time for a specific purpose.

dedicated

This alternative suggests reserving time or effort for a particular purpose.

applied

This alternative focuses on putting resources or effort to use.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "spent up"?

While "spent up" appears in various contexts, it's often considered grammatically incorrect. Consider alternatives like "used up" or "exhausted" for improved clarity.

What are some alternatives to "spent up" when talking about resources?

When discussing resources, you can use "consumed", "depleted", or "utilized" instead of "spent up".

Is it appropriate to use "spent up" in professional writing?

In professional writing, it's generally better to avoid "spent up". Opt for more formal and precise alternatives like "allocated" or "invested".

What's the difference between "spent up" and "used up"?

"Used up" is a more standard and grammatically correct alternative to "spent up", particularly when referring to the complete consumption or exhaustion of resources or time.