that spends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that spends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone that allocates or uses resources, typically time or money. Example: "The organization that spends the most on community projects will receive recognition at the annual gala."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm the one that spends a lot of money.

The New York Times

A generation that spends so little time alone can only hope to produce "excellent sheep".

The New Yorker

Any electron that spends time close to the nucleus will be sensitive to these changes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A tourist that spends two days in Mumbai might now spend three," Khatua said.

The Guardian

"You might think a seal's just a slow, dozy creature that spends its time lazing around.

The New York Times - Books

That's a great sign for a team that spends so much time on the perimeter.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the Latin American country that spends the most on this sector.

The Guardian

But greater specificity by the administration that spends the money should not be derided, but welcomed.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, the M.T.A. will pass a budget that spends its entire $1 billion surplus.

The New York Times

It will now have to be reconciled with a Senate bill that spends $318 billion.

The New York Times

In general, we are not a people that spends much time looking back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that spends", ensure the noun it modifies is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "a program that spends", specify "a government program that spends".

Common error

Avoid using "that spends" with overly abstract or intangible subjects that cannot logically spend resources. For example, instead of "an idea that spends energy", rephrase as "an idea that requires energy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that spends" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically sound and prevalent in English writing. The clause typically introduces a verb describing the act of allocating or utilizing resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that spends" functions as a grammatically correct and commonly used relative clause. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for describing various entities that allocate resources, whether tangible (money) or intangible (time, energy). The phrase appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and business documents, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "that spends", ensure clarity by specifying the noun and resource involved. Consider related phrases like "that allocates" or "which utilizes" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that allocates

Emphasizes the act of distributing resources, rather than simply using them.

that utilizes

Highlights the practical application and efficient use of resources.

that consumes

Focuses on the depletion of resources through usage.

that dedicates

Implies a commitment of resources to a specific purpose.

that invests

Suggests a strategic deployment of resources with the expectation of future returns.

that budgets

Highlights the financial aspect of allocating resources.

that earmarks

Implies setting aside resources for a particular purpose.

that devotes time

Specifically relates to time allocation for an activity.

which disburses

Conveys the action of paying out money, especially from a fund or account.

that allots

Focuses on portioning or assigning something to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "that spends" in a sentence?

Use "that spends" to describe an entity that allocates resources, such as "a company "that spends" millions on advertising".

What are some alternatives to "that spends"?

You can use alternatives like "that allocates", "which utilizes", or "that consumes" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "that spends" and "which spends"?

While both can be used, "that" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), and "which" in non-restrictive clauses (additional information). In practice, "that spends" is often preferred in formal writing for defining characteristics.

Can "that spends" refer to intangible resources like time or energy?

Yes, "that spends" can refer to both tangible resources like money (e.g., "a budget "that spends" billions") and intangible resources like time (e.g., "a person "that spends" hours on research").