whether to spend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whether to spend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a decision-making process regarding the allocation of resources, typically money or time. Example: "I am considering whether to spend my savings on a new car or invest in my education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I often debate whether to spend the extra money.

The New York Times

A disagreement over whether to spend £25bn sounds terribly significant but it's a difference of degree.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Tillerson spent seven months trying to decide whether to spend any of the money.

The New York Times

Currently, the city is deciding whether to spend around €70m to prevent the grandstand from crumbling.

The Guardian - Books

Some money was earmarked for drugs, but there was always tension over whether to spend more on prevention or treatment.

The New York Times - Health

In deciding whether to spend a valuable roster spot on a minor leaguer, carefully consider his path to playing time.

The New York Times

They would be forced to make tough business decisions, like whether to spend more money on research or advertising.

The New York Times

Boards would have to seriously consider whether to spend the full cap because it would mean piling up losses.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, he said, the Navy has been debating whether to spend $1.5 billion to refuel one of the oldest carriers.

The New York Times

We had to decide whether to spend 75 cents on petrol for the car or on breakfast.

The Guardian - Film

I looked on as my freshman hallway considered whether to spend our entire entertainment budget on a single Fresnel lens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whether to spend", ensure the context clearly defines what the spending options are. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "whether to spend" when the context requires a more specific verb. For instance, instead of "whether to spend or save", use "whether to spend or invest" to be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whether to spend" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing an indirect question. It presents a choice or dilemma concerning the allocation of resources, typically money or time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whether to spend" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a decision-making process regarding resource allocation. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. As evidenced by the numerous examples, this phrase appears frequently in news, academic, and business contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the spending options are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "if to expend" exist, "whether to spend" remains the most direct and widely accepted choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if one should expend

Replaces "whether" with "if" and uses "expend" instead of "spend" to indicate a more formal tone.

deciding on spending

Focuses on the act of deciding rather than the conditional nature of "whether".

if it's wise to expend

Adds a judgement on the appropriateness of the spending

the question of spending

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, emphasizing the topic of spending.

to spend or not to spend

Uses a rhetorical question format, creating a dramatic effect.

consideration of expenditure

Replaces "spend" with the more formal term "expenditure" and focuses on the act of considering.

thinking about disbursing

Uses "disbursing" as a more technical term for spending, suitable for financial contexts.

assessing the outlay

Employs "outlay" to refer to the amount spent and focuses on the assessment process.

pondering resource allocation

Shifts the focus to the broader concept of resource allocation rather than just spending.

determining budgetary priorities

Presents the decision in terms of setting priorities within a budget.

FAQs

How can I use "whether to spend" in a sentence?

You can use "whether to spend" to introduce a decision about allocating resources, like in the sentence "The company is debating "whether to spend" more on marketing or research and development."

What are some alternatives to "whether to spend"?

Alternatives include "if one should expend", "deciding on spending", or "the question of spending", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "if to spend" instead of "whether to spend"?

While "if to spend" might be understood, it's not as grammatically standard or commonly used as ""whether to spend"". "Whether" is the preferred conjunction when presenting alternatives.

How does "whether to spend" differ from "how to spend"?

"Whether to spend" implies a decision about spending versus not spending or spending on something else, while "how to spend" focuses on the method or strategy of spending once the decision to spend has been made.