we spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we spent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the amount of time or resources that were used for a particular activity or purpose. Example: "We spent three hours discussing the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We spent eight hundred".

The New Yorker

We spent all day talking.

The New Yorker

We spent months swapping ideas.

Independent

"And we spent it all".

Independent

We spent our days walking.

The New Yorker

We spent $10 billion.

The New York Times

We spent the money.

The New York Times

We spent months abroad.

The New Yorker

"And we spent the whole weekend together".

The New Yorker

We spent weeks practising the sequence.

The Guardian

We spent Christmas with his family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the dedication of time or effort, follow "we spent" with a gerund phrase (e.g., "we spent months researching").

Common error

Avoid using "we spent" without clarifying who 'we' refers to, especially in formal writing. Clearly define the group or entity that did the spending to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we spent" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of using resources such as time, money, or effort. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to describe completed actions in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we spent" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the use of resources, whether time, money, or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood. When using "we spent", clarity is key; specify what was spent and the context in which it was used. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning (past vs. present). Its frequent appearance in News & Media highlights its accessibility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we devoted

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

we dedicated

Similar to 'devoted', emphasizing a commitment of time, effort, or resources to a specific cause or goal.

we allocated

Emphasizes the act of formally distributing or designating resources.

we alloted

Suggests a specific quantity or share of something was assigned for a particular purpose.

we invested

Focuses on the commitment of resources with the expectation of a future return or benefit.

we utilized

Stresses the practical application and efficient use of resources.

we employed

Similar to 'utilized' but can also refer to the use of skills or methods.

we consumed

Highlights the using up of resources, often implying a complete expenditure.

we put in

Informal way of saying that effort or time was invested into something.

we exhausted

Implies that resources were used to their fullest extent, often to the point of depletion.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we spent" is used to indicate the use of resources, typically time or money. For example, "We spent three hours discussing the proposal" or "We spent $500 on groceries".

What phrases are similar to "we spent"?

Alternatives to "we spent" include phrases like "we allocated", "we devoted", or "we invested", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we spend" instead of "we spent"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "We spend" is present tense, used for habitual actions (e.g., "We spend our weekends hiking"). "We spent" is past tense, used for completed actions (e.g., "We spent last weekend hiking").

What's the difference between "we spent time" and "we devoted time"?

Both phrases indicate using time for something, but "we devoted time" implies a more significant commitment or dedication than "we spent time". "We devoted time" suggests a purposeful allocation of time to a particular cause or activity.