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Magic79 Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Spend (time/money/energy) (on/in) doing sth

Hi,

What is the usage for the verb SPEND?

I have found contradictory dictionary information about the verb SPEND.

At https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/spend_1?q=spend you find examples such as:

  • spend something on doing something: That money would be better spent on educating children.
  • spend something in doing something: Most of her life was spent in caring for others.

In contrast, Collins Dictionary warns against using SPEND STH ON/IN DOING STH as can be seen at https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/english-usage/what-is-the-difference-between-spend-and-pass

Be Careful! Don't say that someone spends a period of time `in doing', `on doing', or `to do' something. Don't say, for example, `We spent the evening in talking about art'.


Is Collins Dictionary here being prescriptive about language use and Oxford Dictionary descriptive? Any ideas?

  

Top answer

The following graph (see link) shows that the prepositions 'on' and 'in' are practically never used in the given context. For this reason I always advise students of English not to use 'on' or 'in'. However, the example of spending money on education makes sense because there 'on' means 'for the purpose of'.

— CalifJim

  • The following graph (see link) shows that the prepositions 'on' and 'in' are practically never used in the given context.
  • For this reason I always advise students of English not to use 'on' or 'in'.
  • However, the example of spending money on education makes sense because there 'on' means 'for the purpose of'.
  • t1%3B%2Cspend%20time%20on%20doing%3B%2Cc0 CJ
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1 Answers
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The following graph (see link) shows that the prepositions 'on' and 'in' are practically never used in the given context. For this reason I always advise students of English not to use 'on' or 'in'.

However, the example of spending money on education makes sense because there 'on' means 'for the purpose of'.

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