was spent

USAGE SUMMARY

"was spent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to time that has been used up or to money that has been used. For example: "Six hours was spent on the project." "Hundreds of dollars was spent on the new computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now he was spent.

The New York Times

Money was spent.

The New Yorker

The night was spent moaning.

The New Yorker

Oh, and money was spent.

The New York Times

He was spent.

The Washington Post

Others questioned how the money was spent.

The New York Times - Arts

Nearly £4m was spent on legal services.

Independent

Mine was spent in Brooklin, Maine.

The New Yorker

How much was spent on silk slippers?

The New Yorker

How much money was spent.

Stanford University

Much time was spent defending defense spending.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was spent", ensure the subject clearly indicates what was used, whether it's time, money, or effort. For example, "Three hours was spent reviewing the document."

Common error

Avoid using "was spent" with plural subjects. Instead of saying "Three days was spent", use "Three days were spent" to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was spent" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a resource (time, money, energy) has been used or consumed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples include "Time was spent in prayer" and "Money was spent on silk slippers."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was spent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates the utilization or consumption of resources such as time, money, or energy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and widely applicable. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific articles and encyclopedias, making it a versatile phrase for describing how resources were allocated or consumed. When using "was spent", ensure that your subject-verb agreement is accurate and that the context clearly indicates what was being spent. Understanding its proper use will enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was used

A more general term indicating that something was put to service or application.

was utilized

Focuses on the functional use of something, rather than its depletion.

was employed

Similar to "was used", but often implies a more skillful or strategic application.

was consumed

Emphasizes the process of using something up completely.

was exhausted

Indicates the complete depletion of resources or energy.

was devoted

Highlights the dedication of time or resources to a specific purpose.

was administered

Suggests a careful and controlled application of resources or time.

was allocated

Implies a formal distribution or assignment of resources.

was dispensed

Emphasizes the act of giving out or distributing something.

was invested

Suggests that resources were used with the expectation of future benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "was spent" in a sentence?

Use "was spent" to indicate that time, money, or resources have been used. For example, "The afternoon "was spent" reading" or "A significant amount "was spent" on the project".

What are some alternatives to "was spent"?

Alternatives include "was utilized", "was used", or "was devoted" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your meaning.

Is it correct to say "time was spent" or "time were spent"?

The correct phrase is "time was spent" because "time" is treated as a singular, uncountable noun in this context.

What is the difference between "was spent" and "had been spent"?

"Was spent" refers to a past action that is completed, while "had been spent" refers to a past action completed before another point in the past. For example, "The money "was spent" on marketing" versus "The money had been spent before the audit began".