spend time looking for vs spend time to look for

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Spend time looking for' is more commonly used when describing the act of searching for something, while 'spend time to look for' is less common and might be used when emphasizing the purpose of spending time.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

spend time looking for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe the act of searching for something by investing time in the process.

Examples:

I spent hours looking for my keys.
She spent a lot of time looking for a new apartment.
They spent the whole day looking for the missing dog.
He spent weeks looking for a solution to the problem.
We spent a long time looking for the perfect gift.

Show examples from the web [+]

So we should spend our time looking for that person.
I hope you remember because I do. I can't spend my time looking for stuff.
See, I put the knife in someone else's hands, then you clowns spend your time looking for them and not for me.
Would you rather I spend my time looking for your mother or you?
I know where the badger setts are, and where to find the lesser spotted woodpecker, but I don't spend my time looking for teenagers.
Mostly young men... who spend all their time looking for deleted Smiths singles... and original - not re-released, underlined - Frank Zappa albums.
No! You'll spend all your time looking for somewhere half as secure as this.
Someone calls in, reports seeing a white van, and cops spend all of their time looking for it while more people die.
When you're a spy, you spend a lot of time looking for people's hiding places.
I hope you'll spend as much time looking for them as you do investigating this codswallop.
Okay, I'm going to put us in a high orbit, spend a little time looking around for the best spot before we put down.
Sometimes, but most of the time we spend looking for other Alphas.
Okay, I'm going to put us in a high orbit, spend a little time looking around for the best spot before we put down.
I then kind of thought about the other cities in Europe where I spend a lot of time looking for design, like Basel, where Vitra is located, or in northern Italy -
We also need to spend time looking at existing legislation and seeing whether it has achieved the effect that we asked for.
I spend my time looking through the window.
Mr President, the role of the inspectors appears to be crucial to this debate so perhaps I should spend some time looking at their activities.
And in my opinion, we don't spend enough time looking at that natural laboratory and figuring out first what's safe to do on Earth.
You have to spend time with me without looking at your phone.
I spend the rest of time looking out the window.

Alternatives:

dedicate time to searching for
invest time in searching for
devote time to looking for

spend time to look for

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase might be used when emphasizing the purpose of spending time in order to search for something.

Examples:

She decided to spend time to look for a solution to the problem.
He will spend time to look for a new job.
They are willing to spend time to look for ways to improve the situation.
I need to spend time to look for a reliable mechanic.
We should spend time to look for a better approach.

Show examples from the web [+]

We are asking the Commission to look at the various national health schemes and to examine ways of ensuring a fair deal for those who spend time working in another EU country.
I also didn't ask to look after you or have to spend time with you.
Can't we spend the time discussing what looks like smallpox but isn't smallpox?
This is the worst time to look for work.
It's time to look for a woman.
And I really wish I'd had time to look for both.
No time to look for him.
We don't have time to look for something else.
Now would probably be a good time to look for other employment options.
Consequently, it is time to look for new ways of reducing emissions.
That's a long time to look for something.
Time to look for a new career.
This isn't the time to look for those responsible.
It was time to look for Alexander.
I'm travelling back in time to look for the key advances that drove their remarkable success.
Some foreigners like this region, but they have no time to look for every person.
And the best time to look for a job is when you already have one.
An awful long time to look for the cell phone.
Once I blow these out, it's time to look for your first clue.
Well, as long as we're stuck here, this might be a good time to look for that tick.

Alternatives:

allocate time to search for
set aside time to look for
dedicate time to searching for

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spend time looking for vs spend time to look for