they would spare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they would spare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of saving someone from something unpleasant or avoiding a situation that may cause distress. Example: "In times of crisis, they would spare no effort to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They would spare no one.

The New Yorker

While House Republican leaders have not said what they would cut, they have said what they would spare: defense.

The New York Times

If those frequencies were powerful enough, he maintained, they would spare the planet a coming 25-year period of calamity, which ancient writings had augured.

The New York Times

Lushi gave the Serbs his car and ten thousand Deutsche marks, in the hope that they would spare his twenty-year-old son, Arjan.

The New Yorker

Thus, when Mr. Cullen's lawyer said in December that his client was willing to cooperate with investigators if they would spare his life, plea negotiations began relatively quickly.

The New York Times

In a statement, the ministers said they would "spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and punish those responsible".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

On the other hand, perhaps they'd spared the hole's inhabitant something terrifying in being doubly pinned by the low ceiling of a vehicle's undercarriage.

The New Yorker

Another crew returned a couple of weeks later to get the coffin, the cargo, and the only dog they'd spared, an Alsatian named Carlo, who had run back to the plane when the first rescuers had tried to take him with them.

The New Yorker

The defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, on Sunday issued a statement that praised the raids in Libya and Somalia and said they showed America would "spare no effort to hold terrorists accountable".

The Guardian

Lawyers for the brothers said the plea deal was the best they could reach and would spare the boys a new trial.

The New York Times

This would spare the inhabitants of west London from some of the noise they suffer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they would spare", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to and what is being spared. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they would spare" excessively in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Active voice often provides more direct and impactful communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they would spare" functions as a verb phrase indicating a conditional action of refraining from inflicting something negative or harmful. It expresses a willingness or intention to avoid causing distress, damage, or loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they would spare" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a conditional intention to avoid inflicting harm or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. While not overly common, it finds use in contexts such as news and media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject and object are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "they would avoid" or "they would save" can offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they would avoid

Emphasizes preventing something from happening altogether.

they would save

Highlights the act of preserving or rescuing someone or something.

they would protect

Focuses on shielding from harm or negative consequences.

they would exempt

Signifies releasing someone from an obligation or duty.

they would forgo

Indicates a deliberate decision to abstain from something.

they would refrain from

Highlights the act of holding oneself back from doing something.

they would excuse

Suggests pardoning or relieving someone of blame or responsibility.

they would alleviate

Focuses on reducing the severity of something negative.

they would mitigate

Emphasizes lessening the impact or consequences of something.

they would reduce

Highlights the act of making something smaller or less.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they would spare" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can replace "they would spare" with alternatives like "they would avoid", "they would save", or "they would protect".

What does "they would spare" mean?

The phrase "they would spare" indicates that a group or entity would choose not to inflict something negative on someone or something, or that they would avoid causing harm or difficulty.

Is it better to use "they would spare" or "they would avoid"?

The choice between "they would spare" and "they would avoid" depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Spare" often suggests compassion or leniency, while "avoid" simply implies preventing something from happening.

In what contexts is "they would spare" commonly used?

"They would spare" is often used in contexts involving legal negotiations, military actions, or situations where someone has the power to inflict harm or grant mercy. According to Ludwig, it's found in contexts such as News & Media and Science.