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B1 verb #47 最常用 17分钟阅读

spent

前47

At the A1 level, 'spent' is introduced as the past tense of 'spend'. Learners focus on two main things: money and simple time. You learn to say things like 'I spent five dollars' or 'I spent two hours at the park.' The goal is to understand that 'spent' is the word we use for things that happened yesterday or in the past. It is an irregular verb, so you have to remember it is not 'spended'. At this level, we use very simple sentences. You might talk about your weekend or a shopping trip. 'I spent the day with my mom.' 'We spent ten euros on pizza.' It is a very useful word for talking about your daily life and basic activities. You don't need to worry about the more complex meanings like being 'tired' yet. Just focus on using it with money and time in simple past tense sentences. Remember the pattern: Subject + spent + amount + (on something). For example: 'He spent money on a book.' This is the foundation for using the word correctly as you progress to higher levels of English.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'spent' in more varied ways. You still talk about money and time, but your sentences become longer and more descriptive. You might use 'spent' with the '-ing' form of other verbs, which is a very common pattern. For example: 'I spent the evening watching TV.' This is a big step up from A1 because you are combining two actions. You also start to use 'spent' in the present perfect tense with 'have' or 'has'. For example: 'I have spent all my money.' This helps you talk about things that happened in the past but are still important now. You might also hear 'spent' used to mean 'tired' in a very simple way, like 'I am spent after work,' though this is less common than 'I am tired' at this level. You should also be careful with prepositions. Remember to say 'spent money ON a gift' and 'spent time WITH a friend.' These small words make your English sound much more natural. You are moving from simple facts to sharing more detailed stories about how you use your resources.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'spent' fluently in a variety of contexts. This is the level where the word becomes a regular part of your vocabulary for discussing hobbies, work, and personal feelings. You should be comfortable using the 'spent + time + -ing' structure to describe your routines and experiences. For example: 'I've spent a lot of time practicing the guitar lately.' You also begin to understand the adjectival use of 'spent' to mean 'exhausted'. If you say, 'After the long hike, I was completely spent,' you are showing a good command of more descriptive English. You also start to see 'spent' in more formal contexts, like in a news article about how a government 'spent' its budget. You should be able to distinguish between 'spent' (using a resource) and 'passed' (time moving). This is a common area of confusion for B1 learners. You are also learning to use 'spent' in the passive voice: 'The money was spent wisely.' This allows you to focus on the result of the spending rather than the person who did it. Your use of 'spent' is becoming more precise and versatile.

At the B2 level, you use 'spent' with nuance and can understand its metaphorical meanings. You are likely to encounter the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as reduced relative clauses: 'The money spent on the project was wasted.' You also start to use and understand idioms involving 'spent', such as being a 'spent force'. This means you can use the word to describe not just physical exhaustion, but also a loss of power or influence in a professional or political sense. Your vocabulary is expanding to include synonyms like 'expended', 'consumed', or 'devoted', and you know when to choose 'spent' over these alternatives based on the level of formality. You can talk about 'spent resources' or 'spent energy' in a more abstract way. For example, 'The emotional energy spent on that relationship was significant.' This shows you can apply the concept of 'spending' to non-physical things like emotions or effort. You are also more aware of the collocations of 'spent', such as 'well spent', 'ill spent', or 'wisely spent'. Your English is becoming more sophisticated, and you can use 'spent' to express complex ideas about value and effort.

At the C1 level, your use of 'spent' is highly sophisticated and context-aware. You understand the subtle differences between 'spent', 'expended', 'disbursed', and 'squandered'. You can use 'spent' in academic or professional writing to describe the allocation of resources with precision. You are also familiar with technical uses of the word, such as 'spent fuel' in the nuclear industry or 'spent cartridges' in a forensic context. You can use 'spent' to create specific tones in your writing, from the clinical and objective to the poetic and metaphorical. For example, you might write about a 'spent' era or a 'spent' passion, using the word to evoke a sense of finality and history. You are also comfortable with the word in complex passive and perfect structures, and you can use it to build cohesive and coherent arguments about economic or social issues. Your understanding of the word's etymology and its relationship to other words in the 'spend' family allows you to use it with a high degree of flexibility. You don't just use the word; you play with its meanings to add depth to your communication.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'spent' and all its nuances. You can use it in any register, from the most casual slang to the most formal academic prose. You understand the historical development of the word and how its meanings have shifted over time. You can use 'spent' in literary ways, perhaps using it as a central metaphor in a piece of creative writing. You are also aware of the most obscure idioms and technical applications of the word. Your use of 'spent' is so natural that you can use it to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep emotional resonance. You might use it to describe the 'spent' state of a civilization or the 'spent' potential of a failed technology. You can effortlessly navigate the transition between its role as a verb and an adjective, using it to create rhythm and balance in your sentences. At this level, 'spent' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool that you use with precision and artistry to express the finest shades of meaning. You are also able to correct others' subtle misuses of the word and explain the logic behind its various functions in the English language.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

spent 30秒了解

Spent is the irregular past tense and past participle of the verb 'spend', used to describe the past use of money, time, or energy resources.
It commonly functions in the pattern 'spent time doing something' or 'spent money on something', requiring specific grammar rules like the gerund or prepositions.
As an adjective, 'spent' describes a state of extreme exhaustion or an object that has been completely used up and is no longer functional.
The word is essential for daily conversation, financial reporting, and describing physical endurance, appearing in various idioms like 'a spent force'.

The word spent is a versatile and essential term in the English language, primarily serving as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'spend'. At its most fundamental level, it describes the act of using up a resource—most commonly money, time, or personal energy. When you say you 'spent' something, you are indicating that a transaction or an allocation has been completed. In the modern world, we are constantly in a state of having spent something; whether it is the five dollars you used for a morning coffee or the three hours you dedicated to a project at work, the word captures the transition of a resource from 'available' to 'utilized'.

Financial Transaction: This refers to the exchange of currency for goods or services. For example, 'The company spent millions on research and development last year.' Here, 'spent' implies a deliberate investment with the hope of a future return.

I spent my entire inheritance on a small vineyard in Tuscany, hoping to start a new life.

Beyond the financial realm, 'spent' is frequently used to describe the passage and utilization of time. Time is often conceptualized as a currency in English, which is why we 'spend' it just as we do money. This usage is crucial for discussing experiences, habits, and life stages. If you 'spent' your childhood in a rural town, you are describing the duration and location of your formative years. It suggests a focused period where your time was occupied by specific circumstances or activities.

Temporal Allocation: The act of dedicating hours, days, or years to a specific pursuit. 'She spent the afternoon reading by the lake.' This highlights the choice made regarding how to occupy one's time.

We spent over forty hours troubleshooting the software bug before finally finding the solution.

A third and very common usage of 'spent' is as an adjective to describe a state of total exhaustion or depletion. This is often applied to people, but it can also apply to objects or forces. If a runner crosses the finish line and collapses, they are 'spent'. Their physical energy has been entirely used up. Similarly, a 'spent' match is one that has been burned and can no longer produce a flame. This metaphorical extension of the word is powerful because it conveys a sense of finality—the resource is not just low; it is gone.

Physical Depletion: A state where energy or life force has been completely used. 'After the marathon, he felt completely spent and couldn't even stand up.'

The storm had spent its fury by dawn, leaving the village in a strange, heavy silence.

In professional contexts, 'spent' is used in budgeting and project management. 'Spent funds' are those that have already been allocated and paid out, meaning they are no longer available for other parts of the project. Understanding what has been 'spent' is the first step in calculating the 'remaining' balance. This distinction is vital for anyone working in business, accounting, or even managing a household budget. It provides a clear historical record of where resources went.

By the end of the second quarter, the department had spent nearly eighty percent of its annual marketing budget.

Finally, 'spent' appears in various idioms and fixed expressions that enrich the language. To be a 'spent force' means to no longer have any power or influence. This is often used in politics or sports to describe someone whose best days are behind them. The word carries a weight of history; it tells us not just what is happening now, but what has already occurred to bring us to this point. Whether it is a life well spent or a fortune ill spent, the word invites us to reflect on the value of our choices and the inevitable depletion of our most precious resources.

He looked at the spent shell casings on the ground, a grim reminder of the battle that had just taken place.

Using 'spent' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as the past form of 'spend'. Because it is an irregular verb (spend-spent-spent), learners must memorize this specific form rather than adding '-ed'. The most common sentence structure involves a subject, the verb 'spent', and the resource being used. For example, 'I spent money' or 'They spent time'. However, the sentence often becomes more descriptive by adding a prepositional phrase or a gerund (an -ing word) to explain *how* or *where* the resource was used.

The 'Spent + Time + -ing' Pattern: This is one of the most useful structures for daily conversation. You state the time used and then the activity. 'We spent the weekend hiking in the mountains.' Notice there is no 'on' or 'in' before 'hiking'.

She spent all night worrying about the exam results, only to find out she had passed with honors.

When talking about money, 'spent' is usually followed by the preposition 'on'. This clarifies the object of the purchase. 'He spent fifty dollars on a new shirt.' You can also use 'spent' in the passive voice to focus on the money itself rather than the person who used it. 'A large sum of money was spent on the renovations.' This is common in news reports or formal documents where the person spending the money is less important than the amount or the purpose.

The 'Spent + Money + On' Pattern: Used to indicate the purchase of items or services. 'They spent their savings on a new car.' The preposition 'on' is essential here for grammatical correctness.

Most of the budget was spent on upgrading the security systems throughout the facility.

As an adjective, 'spent' usually follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel'. When you say 'I am spent', you are using 'spent' to describe your current state. This is a predicative adjective. It can also be used as an attributive adjective, placed directly before a noun, such as 'a spent cartridge' or 'a spent fuel rod'. In these cases, it describes a physical object that has fulfilled its purpose and is now empty or useless. This usage is more technical but very precise.

The Adjectival Use: Describing a state of being or a condition of an object. 'By the time they reached the summit, the climbers were completely spent.'

The spent batteries were collected and taken to a specialized recycling center.

In more complex sentences, 'spent' can be part of a reduced relative clause. For example, 'The time spent on this project was worth it.' This is a shortened version of 'The time *that was* spent on this project...' This structure is very common in academic and professional writing because it is concise. It allows the writer to link an action directly to a noun without needing extra words. Mastering this structure will significantly improve the flow of your writing.

The energy spent arguing over minor details could have been better used for creative brainstorming.

Finally, consider the negative and interrogative forms. In the past simple, we use 'did not spend' or 'did you spend?'. Note that the verb reverts to 'spend' because 'did' carries the past tense. However, in the present perfect, we keep 'spent': 'Have you spent the money yet?' or 'I haven't spent much time there.' Being careful with these auxiliary verbs ensures that you use the correct form of 'spent' in every context, whether you are asking a question, making a statement, or describing a state of exhaustion.

You will encounter the word 'spent' in almost every corner of English-speaking life, from the casual chatter of a coffee shop to the high-stakes environment of a corporate boardroom. In daily life, it is most frequently heard in discussions about personal finances and schedules. Friends might ask each other, 'How much did you spend on those shoes?' or 'How was your weekend spent?' In these contexts, 'spent' is a neutral, factual word used to recount past events. It is the standard way to describe the consumption of our two most valuable personal assets: money and time.

Daily Social Interaction: Commonly used to share experiences or ask about costs. 'I spent the whole morning cleaning the garage, and I'm still not finished!'

'We spent way too much at that restaurant last night, but the food was incredible,' she told her coworkers.

In the world of sports and physical fitness, 'spent' takes on its adjectival meaning of exhaustion. Commentators often use it to describe athletes who have given their all. You might hear a broadcaster say, 'The champion looks spent; he has nothing left for the final round.' This usage is also common in personal fitness circles. After a particularly grueling workout, a person might tell their trainer, 'I'm completely spent,' signaling that they cannot perform another repetition. It carries a sense of respect for the effort that led to the exhaustion.

Sports and Athletics: Used to describe the limit of human endurance. 'The marathon runners were visibly spent as they crossed the line.'

By the end of the fourth quarter, both teams were spent, and the game slowed to a crawl.

In news and business media, 'spent' is a key term for reporting on government or corporate activity. Headlines often feature phrases like 'Billions spent on infrastructure' or 'Consumer spending reaches record highs.' Here, 'spent' is used to track the flow of capital on a large scale. It is a word of accountability. When a journalist asks a politician how public money was spent, they are asking for a justification of priorities. In this arena, 'spent' is often paired with adverbs like 'wisely', 'frivolously', or 'unnecessarily' to provide a critique of the expenditure.

Business and Economics: Focuses on large-scale financial outlays and economic trends. 'The government has spent its entire emergency fund on disaster relief.'

Economic analysts are closely watching how much was spent during the holiday shopping season.

In literature and film, 'spent' is used to create atmosphere and character depth. A character might be described as having a 'spent' look in their eyes, suggesting they have endured great hardship or have lost their passion for life. In historical dramas or war movies, you will hear about 'spent' ammunition or 'spent' soldiers. This adds a layer of realism and grit to the storytelling. It emphasizes the cost of conflict and the toll that time and struggle take on the human spirit. It is a word that carries the weight of the past into the present moment.

The old king was a spent force, his once-mighty voice now nothing more than a raspy whisper.

Finally, you will hear 'spent' in environmental and scientific contexts. Scientists talk about 'spent nuclear fuel' or 'spent resources' in an ecosystem. This usage is very literal; it refers to materials that have undergone a process and are no longer in their original, usable state. In environmental activism, the word is used to warn about the 'spent' state of our planet's natural resources. It serves as a call to action, reminding us that once a resource is truly spent, it may be gone forever. This wide range of applications makes 'spent' one of the most hardworking words in the English vocabulary.

One of the most frequent mistakes English learners make with the word 'spent' is failing to recognize its irregular nature. Many students instinctively want to apply the standard '-ed' ending to the present tense 'spend', resulting in the incorrect word 'spended'. While this is a logical error, it is a hallmark of a beginner's level. It is essential to memorize the 'd' to 't' change (spend -> spent). This pattern is shared with other common verbs like 'send' (sent), 'bend' (bent), and 'lend' (lent), so learning them as a group can be very helpful.

The 'Spended' Error: Incorrect: 'I spended all my money.' Correct: 'I spent all my money.' This is the most common grammatical mistake for new learners.

He spent (not spended) years perfecting his craft before he felt ready to show his work.

Another common confusion arises between 'spent' and 'passed' when talking about time. While both words can describe the movement of time, they are used differently. 'Spent' focuses on the *activity* or the *person* using the time. 'I spent three hours reading.' In contrast, 'passed' focuses on the *time itself* moving. 'Three hours passed quickly.' You cannot say 'I passed three hours reading' in modern English; it sounds archaic and is generally considered incorrect in a standard context. Always use 'spent' when you are the subject doing something during that time.

Spent vs. Passed: 'Spent' requires an active subject using time. 'Passed' describes time moving on its own. Mistake: 'I passed the whole day at the beach.' Correct: 'I spent the whole day at the beach.'

As the hours passed, I realized I had spent far too much time on the introduction.

Learners also struggle with the prepositions that follow 'spent'. As mentioned before, we spend money *on* things. A common mistake is using 'for'. 'I spent ten dollars for a sandwich' is technically understandable but 'on a sandwich' is the standard and more natural phrasing. However, when talking about time, we often use no preposition at all before a gerund. 'I spent an hour to cook' is incorrect; it should be 'I spent an hour cooking.' The 'to + verb' structure is a very common error for speakers of Romance languages like Spanish or French.

The 'To-Infinitive' Mistake: Incorrect: 'I spent time to study.' Correct: 'I spent time studying.' The gerund (-ing) is the required form after 'spent time'.

They spent the afternoon exploring (not to explore) the hidden alleys of the old city.

There is also a subtle mistake involving the word 'spent' as an adjective. Because 'spent' means 'completely exhausted', it is an absolute or 'non-gradable' adjective in its strongest sense. While people do say 'I'm very spent', it is more powerful to say 'I'm completely spent' or just 'I'm spent'. Using 'a bit spent' is somewhat contradictory because the word implies a total lack of energy. If you are only a little tired, words like 'tired' or 'weary' are more appropriate. Save 'spent' for when you have reached your absolute limit.

After working three consecutive double shifts, the nursing staff was spent both physically and emotionally.

Finally, be careful with the word 'spent' in the context of 'spending time with someone'. It is a very common and correct phrase, but some learners confuse it with 'staying with someone'. 'I spent the night with my friend' means you stayed at their house. 'I spent the day with my friend' means you were together during the day. However, 'spent' always implies a duration. You cannot 'spent' a person; you spend time *with* them. This small preposition 'with' is the key to describing social interactions correctly and avoiding confusion.

To truly master the word 'spent', it is helpful to understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. While 'spent' is a general-purpose word, other terms can provide more specific meaning depending on the context. For example, in financial contexts, 'expended' is a more formal and technical alternative. You might hear that a corporation 'expended significant resources' on a project. This sounds more professional and deliberate than simply saying they 'spent' money. It implies a structured and planned use of capital.

Spent vs. Expended: 'Spent' is common and versatile. 'Expended' is formal and often used in official reports or scientific contexts to describe the use of energy or funds.

The total energy expended during the chemical reaction was measured in joules.

When talking about exhaustion, 'exhausted' is the most direct synonym for 'spent'. However, 'spent' often carries a more physical or literal connotation of being 'used up' like a resource, while 'exhausted' can feel more emotional or mental. Another alternative is 'drained'. If you say you feel 'drained', it suggests that your energy has been slowly pulled out of you, perhaps by a difficult person or a long, tedious task. 'Spent', on the other hand, often implies a sudden or intense burst of activity that left you with nothing left.

Spent vs. Drained: 'Spent' is a total lack of energy. 'Drained' suggests a gradual loss of energy, often due to stress or emotional labor.

After the three-hour meeting with the difficult clients, the whole team felt emotionally drained.

In the context of time, 'passed' and 'occupied' are sometimes used as alternatives, though they change the sentence structure. Instead of 'I spent the day reading', you could say 'The day was occupied with reading' or 'I occupied myself with reading all day'. 'Occupied' emphasizes that your attention was fully taken by the activity. 'Devoted' is another excellent alternative when the time was spent on something meaningful or important. 'She devoted her life to helping others' is much more powerful and respectful than 'She spent her life helping others'.

Spent vs. Devoted: 'Spent' is neutral. 'Devoted' implies a high level of commitment, passion, or loyalty to the activity or person.

He devoted every spare moment to his research, eventually winning the Nobel Prize.

For money, synonyms like 'disbursed', 'allocated', or 'squandered' offer different shades of meaning. 'Disbursed' is very formal, usually referring to a bank or government paying out money. 'Allocated' means the money has been set aside for a specific purpose, even if it hasn't been 'spent' yet. 'Squandered' is a negative word, meaning to spend money (or time) in a foolish or wasteful way. If you 'spent' your savings, it's neutral; if you 'squandered' them, you made a big mistake. Choosing the right synonym helps you convey your attitude toward the action.

It was painful to watch how quickly he squandered the fortune his parents had worked so hard to build.

Finally, consider the word 'consumed'. This is often used for resources like fuel, food, or even content. 'The fire consumed the entire forest' or 'He consumed all the data in one sitting.' While 'spent' implies a transaction or a conscious use, 'consumed' often implies a more destructive or total usage. By understanding these alternatives, you can move beyond the basic 'spent' and describe the world with much greater detail and emotional resonance. Whether you are exhausted, devoted, or have simply expended your budget, there is a perfect word for every situation.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The 'd' to 't' change in 'spent' is a result of a historical process in English where certain verbs ending in 'd' changed to 't' in the past tense to make them easier to pronounce quickly.

发音指南

UK /spent/

US /spent/

Single syllable word; the stress is on the entire word.

押韵词

bent dent lent rent sent tent vent went

常见错误

Pronouncing it with a 'd' at the end (spend) when it should be a 't'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'spent-ed'.
Nasalizing the 'e' too much due to the following 'n'.
Dropping the final 't' sound entirely.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'spant' or 'spunt'.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

The word is very common and usually easy to understand in context. Only technical or idiomatic uses are difficult.

写作 3/5

Learners must remember the irregular 't' ending and the correct prepositions (on/with) and patterns (-ing).

口语 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but using it naturally in conversation requires practice with the -ing pattern.

听力 2/5

It is easily recognized in speech, though the final 't' can sometimes be soft.

接下来学什么

前置知识

spend money time tired buy

接下来学习

expenditure exhausted budget investment allocate

高级

disburse squander deplete frivolous parsimonious

需要掌握的语法

Irregular Past Tense

The verb 'spend' changes to 'spent' in the past simple and past participle.

Gerund after 'Spent Time'

We say 'spent time walking', not 'spent time to walk'.

Preposition 'On' for Money

I spent money ON a car, not FOR a car.

Passive Voice with Spent

Millions were spent on the project.

Adjectival Use

'Spent' can follow linking verbs like 'be' or 'feel' to describe exhaustion.

按水平分级的例句

I spent five dollars on a sandwich.

J'ai dépensé cinq dollars pour un sandwich.

Simple past tense of 'spend'.

We spent the day at the beach.

Nous avons passé la journée à la plage.

Used with time to show duration.

He spent his weekend in London.

Il a passé son week-end à Londres.

Past tense indicating location and time.

She spent all her money on clothes.

Elle a dépensé tout son argent en vêtements.

Use 'on' before the item purchased.

They spent two hours doing homework.

Ils ont passé deux heures à faire leurs devoirs.

Spent + time + -ing form.

I spent my vacation in Italy.

J'ai passé mes vacances en Italie.

Describing a past experience.

How much money did you spent?

Combien d'argent as-tu dépensé ? (Note: This is a common error example)

Incorrect. In questions with 'did', use 'spend'. Correct: 'How much did you spend?'

I spent last night at my friend's house.

J'ai passé la nuit dernière chez mon ami.

Indicates staying somewhere for a period of time.

I have spent a lot of time learning English.

J'ai passé beaucoup de temps à apprendre l'anglais.

Present perfect tense (have + spent).

She spent the whole morning cleaning the house.

Elle a passé toute la matinée à nettoyer la maison.

Spent + time + -ing.

We spent our savings on a new car.

Nous avons dépensé nos économies pour une nouvelle voiture.

Refers to using a specific pool of money.

He spent an hour waiting for the bus.

Il a passé une heure à attendre le bus.

Focuses on the duration of an activity.

They spent the evening talking about their trip.

Ils ont passé la soirée à parler de leur voyage.

Describes a social activity over time.

I haven't spent much money this month.

Je n'ai pas dépensé beaucoup d'argent ce mois-ci.

Negative present perfect.

She spent her childhood in a small village.

Elle a passé son enfance dans un petit village.

Refers to a long period of life.

We spent a wonderful time together.

Nous avons passé un moment merveilleux ensemble.

Common collocation: 'spent time together'.

After the long race, the runners were completely spent.

Après la longue course, les coureurs étaient complètement épuisés.

Adjective meaning 'totally exhausted'.

The company spent millions on the new advertising campaign.

L'entreprise a dépensé des millions pour la nouvelle campagne publicitaire.

Business context for financial expenditure.

I spent the afternoon fixing the leaky faucet.

J'ai passé l'après-midi à réparer le robinet qui fuit.

Spent + time + -ing (task-oriented).

She has spent her entire career working for the same firm.

Elle a passé toute sa carrière à travailler pour la même entreprise.

Present perfect for a continuing or completed life stage.

The money spent on the project was well worth it.

L'argent dépensé pour le projet en valait la peine.

Reduced relative clause: 'The money (that was) spent'.

He spent a fortune on his vintage car collection.

Il a dépensé une fortune pour sa collection de voitures anciennes.

Idiomatic use of 'spent a fortune'.

We spent the flight reading and sleeping.

Nous avons passé le vol à lire et à dormir.

Describing how time was used during a journey.

I'm spent; I can't do another minute of this.

Je suis à bout ; je ne peux plus faire une minute de plus.

Informal adjectival use for exhaustion.

The politician was considered a spent force after the scandal.

L'homme politique était considéré comme une force épuisée après le scandale.

Idiom: 'a spent force' (no longer influential).

Considerable effort was spent in ensuring the data was accurate.

Des efforts considérables ont été consacrés à s'assurer que les données étaient exactes.

Passive voice focusing on the 'effort'.

The storm had spent its energy by the time it reached the coast.

La tempête avait épuisé son énergie au moment où elle a atteint la côte.

Metaphorical use for natural forces.

He looked at the spent matches scattered on the table.

Il regarda les allumettes brûlées éparpillées sur la table.

Adjective describing something used up and useless.

Most of her time is spent researching climate change.

La majeure partie de son temps est consacrée à la recherche sur le changement climatique.

Passive structure with 'is spent'.

They spent the better part of a decade building their business.

Ils ont passé la majeure partie d'une décennie à bâtir leur entreprise.

Collocation: 'the better part of (a time period)'.

I regret the time I spent worrying about things I couldn't change.

Je regrette le temps que j'ai passé à m'inquiéter de choses que je ne pouvais pas changer.

Reflective use of 'spent' in a relative clause.

The spent fuel rods must be handled with extreme caution.

Les barres de combustible usé doivent être manipulées avec une extrême prudence.

Technical/Scientific adjectival use.

The intellectual energy spent on this debate has been immense.

L'énergie intellectuelle consacrée à ce débat a été immense.

Abstract use for mental resources.

By the end of the century, the empire was a spent entity.

À la fin du siècle, l'empire était une entité épuisée.

Formal metaphorical use for historical decline.

The report details how the grant money was spent across various sectors.

Le rapport détaille comment l'argent de la subvention a été dépensé dans divers secteurs.

Formal reporting on financial allocation.

He felt like a spent cartridge, discarded and forgotten.

Il se sentait comme une cartouche vide, jetée et oubliée.

Literary simile using the adjectival form.

The time spent in contemplation allowed her to find inner peace.

Le temps passé en contemplation lui a permis de trouver la paix intérieure.

Gerund phrase used as the subject's focus.

Any capital spent now will yield significant dividends in the future.

Tout capital dépensé maintenant rapportera des dividendes importants à l'avenir.

Economic/Investment context.

The spent atmosphere of the room suggested a long night of negotiation.

L'atmosphère épuisée de la pièce suggérait une longue nuit de négociation.

Transferred epithet (the atmosphere isn't 'spent', the people are).

She spent her fury on the punching bag until she could barely breathe.

Elle a passé sa fureur sur le sac de frappe jusqu'à ce qu'elle puisse à peine respirer.

Using 'spent' for releasing emotions.

The narrative arc explores the tragedy of a life ill spent.

L'arc narratif explore la tragédie d'une vie mal employée.

Literary use of 'ill spent' (wasted).

The spent bullets were the only witnesses to the clandestine meeting.

Les balles tirées étaient les seuls témoins de la réunion clandestine.

Poetic/Noir adjectival use.

The sheer volume of resources spent on the defense budget is staggering.

Le volume même des ressources consacrées au budget de la défense est stupéfiant.

High-level political/economic critique.

His creative genius seemed spent, leaving him a hollow shell of his former self.

Son génie créatif semblait épuisé, faisant de lui une coquille vide de ce qu'il était autrefois.

Metaphorical use for artistic depletion.

The treaty was signed only after all diplomatic options had been spent.

Le traité n'a été signé qu'après que toutes les options diplomatiques eurent été épuisées.

Abstract use for options or possibilities.

A youth spent in hedonism often leads to a middle age of regret.

Une jeunesse passée dans l'hédonisme mène souvent à un âge mûr de regrets.

Philosophical/Moralizing use.

The spent waves retreated, leaving the sand smooth and unmarked.

Les vagues épuisées se retirèrent, laissant le sable lisse et sans trace.

Personification of natural elements.

Every penny spent is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

Chaque centime dépensé est un vote pour le genre de monde dans lequel vous voulez vivre.

Rhetorical/Ethical use of the word.

常见搭配

well spent

spent a fortune

spent the night

completely spent

spent force

spent fuel

money well spent

spent a lifetime

wisely spent

spent cartridges

常用短语

spent time with

spent money on

spent the day

spent years

spent energy

spent a lot

spent hours

spent a fortune

spent a week

spent wisely

容易混淆的词

spent vs passed

Use 'spent' for what you did; use 'passed' for the time moving itself.

spent vs cost

Items 'cost' money; people 'spend' money.

spent vs used

'Used' is more general; 'spent' is specific to resources like time and money.

习语与表达

"a spent force"

Someone or something that no longer has any power, influence, or energy.

After the scandal, the minister was a spent force in the party.

formal/journalistic

"money well spent"

Used to say that a purchase was worth the cost because of its quality or usefulness.

The new roof was expensive, but it was money well spent.

neutral

"time well spent"

Used to say that an activity was worth the time it took because it was enjoyable or productive.

The hours we spent talking were time well spent.

neutral

"spent a king's ransom"

To spend a huge, almost unbelievable amount of money.

He spent a king's ransom on that yacht.

informal/idiomatic

"feel spent"

To be completely exhausted, having no energy left.

After the exam, I just felt completely spent.

neutral/informal

"spent like water"

To spend money very quickly and freely, often wastefully.

During the boom years, money was spent like water.

literary/old-fashioned

"spent its bolt"

To have used up all one's energy or resources; to have no more strength left to continue.

The rebellion had spent its bolt by mid-summer.

literary

"a life well spent"

A life that has been lived in a meaningful, productive, or virtuous way.

He died at ninety, leaving behind the legacy of a life well spent.

formal/poetic

"spent a penny"

A British euphemism for going to the toilet (from the old cost of public toilets).

I just need to go and spend a penny before we leave.

informal/British

"spent match"

Metaphorically, someone who is burned out or no longer capable of passion or action.

He felt like a spent match in the high-pressure world of finance.

literary

容易混淆

spent vs spend

Present vs. Past tense.

Spend is for now or the future; spent is for the past or a completed state.

I will spend money tomorrow, but I spent money yesterday.

spent vs sent

Similar sound and spelling.

Sent is the past of 'send' (to mail/dispatch); spent is the past of 'spend'.

I sent a letter and spent five dollars on the stamp.

spent vs lent

Similar sound and spelling.

Lent is the past of 'lend' (to give temporarily); spent is to use up.

I lent him money, which he then spent.

spent vs spanned

Similar sound.

Spanned means to extend across; spent means to use up.

His career spanned thirty years, most of which he spent in Paris.

spent vs scent

Homophone (in some accents) or similar sound.

Scent is a smell; spent is the past of spend.

The spent match left a strong scent of sulfur.

句型

I spent [money] on [item].

I spent $5 on coffee.

I spent [time] [verb-ing].

I spent an hour reading.

I have spent [time/money] [context].

I have spent all my savings.

Subject + be + completely spent.

He was completely spent after the race.

The [noun] spent on [activity] was [adjective].

The time spent on the task was worth it.

Subject + be + a spent force.

The leader was a spent force.

[Resource] spent [adverb] yields [result].

Capital spent wisely yields great returns.

A [noun] spent in [abstract noun] leads to [result].

A youth spent in idleness leads to a difficult old age.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

常见错误

I spended all my money. → I spent all my money.
'Spend' is an irregular verb. You must change the 'd' to a 't' for the past tense.
I spent two hours to study. → I spent two hours studying.
After 'spent time', we use the gerund (-ing) form of the verb, not the infinitive (to...).
I passed the whole day at the beach. → I spent the whole day at the beach.
In English, people 'spend' time. Time 'passes' by itself. If you are the subject, use 'spent'.
He spent ten dollars for a sandwich. → He spent ten dollars on a sandwich.
The standard preposition to use after spending money on an item is 'on'.
I spent with my family yesterday. → I spent time with my family yesterday.
'Spent' is a transitive verb in this context; it needs an object like 'time' or 'the day'.

小贴士

The -ing Rule

Always follow 'spent time' with a verb ending in -ing. 'I spent an hour cooking' is correct. 'I spent an hour to cook' is not.

Money vs. Time

Remember that 'spent' works for both. It's the most common way to describe using your two most important resources.

The Adjective

Use 'spent' when you want to say you are more than just tired—you have zero energy left.

Passive Voice

In formal writing, use 'was spent' to focus on the money or time rather than the person. 'The budget was spent on education.'

No 'Spended'

Never use 'spended'. It's a common mistake. The past of spend is always spent.

Well Spent

The phrase 'time well spent' is a great way to describe a positive experience.

Spend ON

Always use 'on' when talking about buying things. 'I spent money on a new phone.'

The 'T' Sound

Make sure the 't' at the end is clear. It's the only difference between 'spend' and 'spent' in speech.

Spent Force

Use this to describe someone who has lost their power. It's a very common phrase in politics.

Spent Fuel

If you see 'spent' in a science article, it usually means 'used up' or 'radioactive waste'.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a 'spent' match. It has used all its fire and is now black and tired. Just like a person who is 'spent' has used all their energy.

视觉联想

Imagine a wallet that is completely empty and flat. This visual represents money that has been 'spent'.

Word Web

Money Time Energy Exhausted Past Resource Transaction Budget

挑战

Write three sentences about your day yesterday: one about money you spent, one about time you spent, and one about how you felt (spent) at the end of the day.

词源

The word 'spent' comes from the Old English 'spendan', which was borrowed from the Vulgar Latin 'expendere'. This Latin root means 'to pay out' or 'to weigh out money'.

原始含义： The original meaning focused strictly on the weighing of gold or silver to make a payment. Over time, it expanded to include the use of time and energy.

Germanic (Old English) with Latin roots.

文化背景

Be careful when using 'spent' to describe people in a professional setting; calling someone a 'spent force' can be quite insulting as it implies they are no longer useful.

In the UK, 'spend a penny' is a polite, old-fashioned way to say you need to use the bathroom. In the US, 'spent' is very commonly used in sports commentary.

The poem 'The World Is Too Much With Us' by William Wordsworth: 'Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.' The phrase 'A life well spent' is a common epitaph on gravestones. The song 'Spent' by various artists often deals with emotional exhaustion.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Shopping and Finance

spent a fortune
spent too much
money well spent
spent on groceries

Hobbies and Free Time

spent the day
spent time with
spent hours reading
time well spent

Physical State

completely spent
feel spent
look spent
physically spent

Work and Projects

spent resources
time spent on
budget was spent
spent energy

History and Politics

a spent force
spent era
spent bullets
spent potential

对话开场白

"What is the best thing you have ever spent your money on?"

"How did you spend your last birthday?"

"Do you ever feel completely spent after a long day at work?"

"If you had an extra hour every day, how would you spend it?"

"What is a hobby you have spent a lot of time on recently?"

日记主题

Describe a day you spent that you consider 'time well spent'. What did you do?

Write about a time you spent more money than you intended. How did you feel?

Reflect on a period in your life where you felt physically or emotionally spent.

If you could get back all the time you spent on social media, what would you do with it?

What are three things you spent money on this week that made you happy?

常见问题

10 个问题

No, 'spended' is not a word in standard English. 'Spend' is an irregular verb, and its past tense and past participle is always 'spent'. Using 'spended' is a common mistake for learners, but it should be avoided in all contexts.

It is much more natural to say 'I spent the time reading.' While 'spent time to...' is occasionally heard, the standard and most common grammatical pattern is 'spent' + [time] + [verb-ing]. For example, 'I spent an hour cleaning.'

This is an idiom used to describe a person, group, or thing that no longer has any power, influence, or energy. For example, a politician who has lost their popularity might be called a 'spent force'. It implies their best days are over.

'Spent' is a synonym for 'exhausted', but it often implies that you have used up all your resources or energy on a specific task. 'Exhausted' is a more general term for being very tired. 'Spent' sounds a bit more dramatic and final.

In English, we almost always spend money 'on' something. For example, 'I spent $20 on a book.' Using 'for' is generally considered incorrect or at least less natural in this specific context.

No, 'spent' is the past form. For the future, you must use the present form 'spend'. For example, 'I will spend my vacation in Spain next year.' You can, however, use 'spent' as an adjective in the future: 'I will be spent after that race.'

In the context of firearms, a 'spent cartridge' is the empty metal case that remains after a bullet has been fired. It is 'spent' because the gunpowder has been used up and it can no longer be fired.

'Spent' is a neutral word that can be used in any context. However, its adjectival use for 'tired' can be informal, while its use in financial reports ('funds spent') is formal. It is a very versatile word.

'Spent' is neutral; it just means you used a resource. 'Wasted' is negative; it means you used a resource in a way that was not useful or productive. If you 'spent' time, it might have been good; if you 'wasted' it, it was definitely bad.

No, 'spent' needs an object like 'time'. You must say 'I spent time with my friend.' Without the word 'time', the sentence is incomplete and grammatically incorrect.