that were spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were spent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to time, money, or resources that have already been used or consumed in the past. Example: "The funds that were spent on the project were carefully allocated to ensure maximum efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"This disparity translates into a $78 billion shortfall for the first $254 billion in TARP funds that were spent".

The New York Times

And for the last 15 years that were spent in heart-wrenching pursuit of a championship, the face of the Knicks has been Patrick Ewing.

The New York Times - Sports

Crossroads GPS publicized Mr. Obama's remarks in Philadelphia in October questioning anonymous donations that were spent in the service of Republicans.

The New York Times

Given the sums that were spent in recent statewide contests in New Jersey, the gubernatorial campaigns are likely to invest tens of millions of dollars on advertising in the costly New York and Philadelphia media markets.

The New York Times

AJS was embroiled in a California campaign finance scandal that led to a $1m fine against two Arizona groups to which it funneled millions of dollars that were spent on California ballot initiatives without properly disclosing the actual donors.

The Guardian

Also under scrutiny are hundreds of millions of Olympus dollars that were spent buying three unprofitable start-up companies, only to have Olympus quickly write off three-quarters of their value.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

A. [That site] covered companies that were spending millions and doing big layoffs.

The New York Times

"We watch every penny that's spent," Ms. Healey said.

The New York Times

"We have been imaginative and productive with the money that was spent," Lennon said.

Independent

He could not find one drop of ink that was spent on the factory closing.

The New York Times

Each pearl supposedly symbolizes each year that was spent in prison.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "utilized", "allocated", or "invested" to add nuance to your writing depending on whether you need to emphasize use, distribution, or expectation of future gains.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to clearly identify what "that were spent" refers to. Ensure that the subject is explicitly stated, such as "the millions of dollars that were spent" rather than simply "the funds that were spent" without specifying what kind of funds. Failing to do so may generate confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were spent" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, indicating resources, time, or money used in the past. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were spent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used relative clause to describe resources, time, or money used in the past. It is frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in scientific and wiki contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various writing styles, but it's crucial to clearly specify what was spent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "that were utilized" or "that were allocated" can provide more specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were used

A more general term indicating something was employed.

that had been allocated

Focuses on the prior allocation rather than the act of spending.

that were employed

Similar to 'used' but can imply a more strategic application.

that had been utilized

Emphasizes the use of something for a specific purpose.

that were expended

Implies a more formal or exhaustive use of resources.

that were applied

Focuses on the direct application of resources to a task or problem.

that were consumed

Highlights the complete consumption of resources.

that were dedicated

Focuses on the commitment of resources to a specific cause.

that had been disbursed

Highlights the act of distributing funds or resources.

that were invested

Highlights the use of resources for future gain.

FAQs

How can I use "that were spent" in a sentence?

Use "that were spent" to describe resources, time, or money used in the past. For example, "The funds "that were spent" on the project exceeded the initial budget."

What are some alternatives to "that were spent"?

Alternatives include "that were utilized", "that were allocated", or "that were invested", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "that was spent" instead of "that were spent"?

The correct form depends on the noun being modified. Use "that was spent" for singular nouns (e.g., "the time that was spent") and ""that were spent"" for plural nouns (e.g., "the resources that were spent").

What is the difference between "that were spent" and "that were wasted"?

"That were spent" implies that resources were used, while "that were wasted" suggests that resources were used ineffectively or without achieving a desired outcome.