spend time on doing something vs spend time doing something

Both phrases are correct, but 'spend time doing something' is more commonly used in English. The structure 'spend time doing something' is simpler and more concise, making it the preferred choice in most situations.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 1253 views

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

"spend time on doing something"

This phrase is used to indicate the allocation of time to a specific activity. It is grammatically correct but less commonly used than the alternative.

Examples:

I spend time on doing my homework every evening.
She spends time on reading books in her free time.

Show examples from the web [+]

spend time on doing something
It would have been fine to spend time on Reiner VI, doing phase work with antimatter.
This includes financial contribution, Brendan emphasizes, as he would rather spend more time on games than doing his "normal" job.
If I'm going to spend my time doing something on my phone, I'd honestly rather be doing something else.
Spend time doing things that are enjoyable to both of you.
I figured it'd be better if we spend time doing things we both enjoy.
Because of this, he can no longer spend time doing what he loves: writing.
Spend time doing some short shifts before you jump up to the first line.
He wants us to find something we both have in common, and spend time doing activities we both enjoy.
There are many possible training plans for beginner half and full marathon runners and you must spend time doing research into the different suggestions for appropriate training.
The general idea was that we would all be better off curtailing production of such things and simply spend time in doing as we pleased.
Because who wants to spend time doing something they aren't good at?
When I'm with children I love playing mostly outside (I'm old style) and I allow to watch the television only 30 minutes a day because I prefer to spend time doing more productive activities (a puzzle, for example).
In general, the lights are positioned closer to the mirror when you spend time doing things in the sink or mirror.
There are many ways you can do that but one of the best (other than the quiet time I mentioned above) is for the two of you to spend time doing things together that you both enjoy.
Not yet. I will be going to visit Casale Monferrato and Ozzano in September 2006 with my wife, Barbara, and 89-year-old mother and I will spend time doing some family research on my genealogy and ancestry.
I will not allow you to spend time with her, doing projects or whatever it is that you do. That's it.
Spend less time doing just "busy" work.
When people hire a tax preparer to prepare their taxes or a tailor to mend their clothing, they need not spend time either in doing the work or learning how to do it.
They should spend less time doing yoga and more time developing their sewers.
We'd spend our time doing things like this all the time.

Alternatives:

spend time doing something
dedicate time to doing something
invest time in doing something
allocate time for doing something
devote time to doing something

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"spend time doing something"

This phrase is the more common and concise way to express the idea of allocating time to a specific activity. It is widely used in everyday English.

Examples:

I spend time doing my homework every evening.
She spends time reading books in her free time.

Show examples from the web [+]

spend time doing something
Because who wants to spend time doing something they aren't good at?
If I'm going to spend my time doing something on my phone, I'd honestly rather be doing something else.
Description: Ena Sweet is learning how to dance flamenco but her teacher is a little bored of her incompetence so he decides to spend their time doing something a lot more interesting.
It's just, after everything that I went through this past year, I don't want to spend any more time doing something I'm not passionate about.
if you spend enough time doing something, time slows down or your skill increases, so your perceptions change.
He wants us to find something we both have in common, and spend time doing activities we both enjoy.
Spend time doing things that are enjoyable to both of you.
You should use the time doing something equally as productive.
I figured it'd be better if we spend time doing things we both enjoy.
Because of this, he can no longer spend time doing what he loves: writing.
It's a funny feeling when you have spent more time doing something on the TV than you have in real life.
Come on. Let's just have a bit of time doing something normal.
It's a funny feeling when you have spent more time doing something on the TV than you have in real life.
Spend time doing some short shifts before you jump up to the first line.
There are many possible training plans for beginner half and full marathon runners and you must spend time doing research into the different suggestions for appropriate training.
The time you women spend analyzing everything to death you could be actually doing something.
When I'm with children I love playing mostly outside (I'm old style) and I allow to watch the television only 30 minutes a day because I prefer to spend time doing more productive activities (a puzzle, for example).
In general, the lights are positioned closer to the mirror when you spend time doing things in the sink or mirror.
Shouldn't you be spending your valuable time doing something more "significant"?
If you were committed, and had free time during the day that you wouldn't rather spend doing something else, then yes, I suppose you could just wash your car everyday.

Alternatives:

spend time on doing something
dedicate time to doing something
invest time in doing something
allocate time for doing something
devote time to doing something

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spend time on doing something vs spend time doing something