I spent years of my life vs I have spent years of my life

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I spent years of my life' is used to talk about a specific period in the past without mentioning the connection to the present. 'I have spent years of my life' is used to emphasize the connection between the past action and the present moment.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 3835 views

I spent years of my life

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to a specific period in the past without emphasizing the connection to the present.

This phrase is used to talk about a past period of time without mentioning the present. It is suitable for narrating events or experiences that occurred in the past.

Examples:

I spent years of my life studying abroad.
She spent years of her life working on that project.

Show examples from the web [+]

You know, I spent three years of my life on that production.
I spent 45 years of my life in animal agriculture.
I spent two years of my life blowing up hajji ordnance and IEDs.
I spent 30 years of my life there.
Not after I spent two years of my life doing good things, we haven't.
I spent 30 years of my life busting my hump for that place.
I think I spent 30 years of my life, the first 30 trying to become something.
I've spent 40 years of my life defending the accused.
I've spent 4 years of my life on this book.
I spent the last year of my life playing Marie Antoinette to Prince Possessive.
I would like to say that I spent 18 years of my life in a country which was called the People's Republic of Poland, in which there was a Ministry of Internal Trade and where the shelves in the shops were empty.
I already spent 22 years of my life feeling like I'm losing a man to you. I'm not doing it again.
I have spent fifteen years of my life without a passport or driving licence.
I've spent 40 years of my life defending the accused.
I've spent a year of my life in the air.
I spent over six years of my life in Russia and have very close ties with that country.
I've probably spent a year of my life in Vegas when you add it all up, but I normally head straight for the blackjack tables.
Aside from time in the army, I've spent 30 years of my life there.
I spent the last ten years of my life in bad fights set up by you and Alice.
I spent the past eight years of my life Trying to get away from it, so...

Alternatives:

I spent many years of my life
I dedicated years of my life
I invested years of my life
I devoted years of my life
I committed years of my life

I have spent years of my life

This phrase is correct and commonly used to emphasize the connection between the past action and the present moment.

This phrase is used to highlight the impact or relevance of past experiences on the present. It indicates that the action of spending years of one's life has a current significance.

Examples:

I have spent years of my life perfecting my craft.
She has spent years of her life building her career.

Show examples from the web [+]

I have spent fifteen years of my life without a passport or driving licence.
Yes, I know that, but I have spent the last ten years of my life working to get to where I am.
I have spent the last two years of my life putting up with all your security and your secrecy and your control.
I have spent the last 12 years of my life taking care of him practically all by myself.
I've spent 40 years of my life defending the accused.
I've spent 4 years of my life on this book.
You know, I spent three years of my life on that production.
I spent 45 years of my life in animal agriculture.
I already spent 22 years of my life feeling like I'm losing a man to you. I'm not doing it again.
I've probably spent a year of my life in Vegas when you add it all up, but I normally head straight for the blackjack tables.
I spent two years of my life blowing up hajji ordnance and IEDs.
I spent 30 years of my life there.
I've spent 40 years of my life defending the accused.
I've spent a year of my life in the air.
Not after I spent two years of my life doing good things, we haven't.
I spent 30 years of my life busting my hump for that place.
Just spent a year of my life convincing people that I was.
I think I spent 30 years of my life, the first 30 trying to become something.
Aside from time in the army, I've spent 30 years of my life there.
Having spent six years of my life in Ukraine and having known the country for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is currently following a path which leads quite clearly to democracy.

Alternatives:

I have dedicated years of my life
I have invested years of my life
I have devoted years of my life
I have committed years of my life
I have given years of my life

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I spent years of my life vs I have spent years of my life