time is spent

USAGE SUMMARY

"time is spent" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it any time you want to talk about a certain amount of time that has passed. For example: "We spent a lot of time planning for the meeting, but in the end it was worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vacation time is spent.

The New York Times

Most time is spent waiting.

The New York Times - Sports

* Ample time is spent on training.

The New York Times

Much of the time is spent talking.

The New York Times - Magazine

How much time is spent managing councillors?

The Guardian

Much of that time is spent filibustering.

The New York Times

That is where the time is spent".

The Guardian - Film

Considerable time is spent examining fundamentals.

The New York Times

The time is spent in the eating.

The New York Times - Health

Much of her time is spent overseas.

The Guardian

And does it matter when this time is spent?

Design Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how time is used, follow "time is spent" with a gerund (verb + -ing) to clearly indicate the activity. For example, "Time is spent planning the event".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "spent". "Time is spent on" is often redundant; simply use "Time is spent planning" rather than "Time is spent on planning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time is spent" functions as a passive construction, indicating how a certain amount of time is utilized. It is widely accepted and used in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time is spent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to describe how time is utilized. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread acceptance. Its neutral register allows it to be used across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing. While alternatives such as "time is used" or "time is allocated" exist, "time is spent" remains a versatile and effective way to communicate the allocation of time. Pay attention to the preposition used after the phrase to avoid redundancy and always use the correct past participle form of 'spend'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time is used

A more general term for employing time for any purpose.

time is taken

Suggests that time is occupied or required by something.

time is allocated

Focuses on the distribution of time rather than the action performed during that time.

time is devoted

Emphasizes dedication or commitment of time to a specific purpose.

time is given

Implies time is offered or provided for a specific activity.

time is invested

Suggests that time is used in a way that will yield a return or benefit.

time is assigned

Highlights the act of designating time for a particular task or activity.

time is consumed

Implies that time is used up, often highlighting a negative or wasteful aspect.

time passes

A neutral expression simply stating that time elapses.

time elapses

Formal term that specifies time is passing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "time is spent" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "time is allocated" or "time is devoted", which emphasize the deliberate assignment of time.

What's a more concise way to say "time is spent"?

You can often replace "time is spent" with a simpler verb phrase like "time is used" or "time passes" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "time is spend" instead of "time is spent"?

No, "time is spend" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "time is spent", using the past participle of the verb "spend".

How does the context affect the choice of words when describing how "time is spent"?

The context dictates whether you need a neutral, formal, or informal tone. If you're just indicating how time is passing, you can say "time passes". If you want to emphasize that time is used for something negative, you could choose "time is consumed".