well spent

USAGE SUMMARY

"well spent" is a correct part of a sentence that can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was used effectively or in a productive way. For example, "The two weeks I spent traveling were well spent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Eight bucks well spent.

The New Yorker

"Very well spent".

The New York Times

Time well spent.

The Economist

Is this money well spent?

The New York Times

Is it money well spent?

The New York Times

It's a dollar well spent.

The New Yorker

This is time well spent.

The New York Times - Food

The dollars are well spent".

The New York Times

It was money well spent.

The New York Times - Arts

An afternoon exceedingly well spent.

The New York Times

Consider it time well spent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well spent" to positively frame the use of time, money, or effort, suggesting it was valuable or effective. For example, "The research phase was time well spent."

Common error

Avoid using "well spent" sarcastically or in contexts where the outcome was clearly negative. Instead, use phrases like "poorly spent" or "wasted" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well spent" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying nouns like "time", "money", or "effort". It describes these nouns by indicating that they were used effectively or advantageously. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well spent" is a versatile adjective phrase used to positively describe the utilization of resources such as time, money, or effort. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, with a neutral register that fits both formal and informal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal business settings, "well spent" communicates satisfaction and validation of decisions. When writing, ensure the context aligns with a positive outcome to avoid misusing the phrase. Consider alternatives like "effectively utilized" or "wisely allocated" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

productively used

Stresses the creation of output or results from the use of something.

effectively utilized

Focuses on the efficient use of resources or time.

worthwhile effort

Emphasizes that the effort or resources was deserving of its value

wisely allocated

Highlights the judicious distribution of resources.

profitably invested

Emphasizes the gain or return on an investment of time or money.

advantageously applied

Suggests that something was used to create a favorable outcome.

fruitfully expended

Implies that effort or resources yielded positive results.

gainfully employed

Indicates that something has been used in a way that provides benefit or reward.

judiciously administered

Highlights the careful and thoughtful management of resources.

beneficially consumed

Focuses on the positive effects derived from the use of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "well spent" to describe time, money, or effort that has been used effectively or productively. For example, "The afternoon at the museum was time "well spent"" or "The investment in new equipment was money "well spent"."

What are some alternatives to "well spent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "effectively utilized", "profitably invested", or "wisely allocated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "good spent" instead of "well spent"?

No, the correct phrase is "well spent". "Well" functions as an adverb modifying "spent", indicating that something was spent in a good or effective manner. "Good" is an adjective and doesn't fit grammatically in this context.

What's the difference between "well spent" and "wasted"?

"Well spent" implies that something was used beneficially and productively, leading to a positive outcome. In contrast, "wasted" means that something was used ineffectively or carelessly, resulting in little or no value. For example, time "well spent" leads to progress, while time wasted yields no benefit.