was spent on

USAGE SUMMARY

'was spent on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about the use of money or time. For example: 'A lot of money was spent on renovating the house.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Too much money was spent on one man's home.

The Guardian

Nearly £4m was spent on legal services.

Independent

How much was spent on silk slippers?

The New Yorker

Much more was spent on foreign aid.

The Economist

His childhood was spent on the move.

The New York Times - Sports

£3m was spent on advertising.

The Guardian - Opinion

How much was spent on military?

The New York Times

At least £9bn was spent on something.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some $350,000 was spent on carpeting.

The New York Times

Only $105.7m was spent on reducing poverty.

The Guardian

How much was spent on rebuilding?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs if you want to emphasize agency. For example, instead of "money was spent on marketing", try "the company invested heavily in marketing".

Common error

Avoid using "was spent on" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying "time was spent on unnecessary meetings", consider "we wasted time on unnecessary meetings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was spent on" functions as a passive construction indicating how resources (time, money, effort) were allocated or utilized. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was spent on" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the allocation of resources like time, money, or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase finds frequent use in diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and business domains. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for varied communication, remember to use active voice for more directness when applicable. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase often occurs when detailing how resources were utilized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was allocated to

Focuses on the formal assignment of resources, emphasizing planning and distribution.

time was devoted to

Focuses on the allocation of time for a particular purpose or activity.

was dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and purpose in allocating resources or time.

efforts were focused on

Highlights the concentration of effort towards a specific objective.

was directed towards

Indicates a specific target or aim for the use of resources.

was utilized for

Highlights the practical application and functionality of the resources.

funds were channeled to

Specifically refers to financial resources and their strategic movement.

was invested in

Suggests an expectation of future returns or benefits from the resources used.

resources went into

Emphasizes the commitment of a variety of resources to a task or project.

was consumed by

Implies a complete absorption of resources, often highlighting the extent of use.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was spent on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was allocated to", "was designated for", or "was invested in", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was spent on" and "was invested in"?

"Was spent on" generally implies an expenditure or consumption of resources, while "was invested in" suggests an expectation of future returns or benefits.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was spent on"?

While "was spent on" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "money was spent on advertising", you could say "the company spent money on advertising".

What are some common synonyms for "was spent on"?

Depending on the context, synonyms include "was used for", "was dedicated to", "was consumed by", or "was utilized for".