spent three hours vs took three hours

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Spent three hours' is used when referring to the duration of time used for an activity or task. 'Took three hours' is used when referring to the duration of time required to complete a task or activity.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

spent three hours

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the duration of time used for an activity or task.

This phrase is used to indicate the amount of time someone has used for an activity or task. It is often followed by a verb or an activity.

Examples:

I spent three hours studying for the exam.
She spent three hours cleaning the house.
They spent three hours discussing the project.
He spent three hours playing video games.
We spent three hours hiking in the mountains.

Show examples from the web [+]

I spent three hours in JFK long-term parking.
I just spent three hours alone with my parents.
I just spent three hours in my office throwing pencils at the ceiling.
I spent three hours in the file morgue looking for that stuff.
They spent three hours fixing the cable in mine.
Just spent three hours with the F.B.I. discussing your little present.
We just spent three hours watching this dude play video games in his bedroom.
Just spent three hours with the FBI.
I just spent three hours telling you how they're doing.
She told me she wanted to be an astronaut, and that's why I spent three hours last night sewing patches on a little, tiny flight suit.
I just spent three hours answering questions on whether or not I plan to assassinate the president.
And I spent three hours trying to wash it off the other day, but the ballpoint ink is impossible to remove, so now we have fines.
It's because I spent three hours in a car trunk.
Temple spent three hours with Reid just before he wound up dead.
I spent three hours trying to get my parents to stop create my castle.
I spent three hours this afternoon scouring Harold's Facebook page.
I've spent three hours waiting for my turn.
We spent three hours a day together, twice a week.
Gideon already spent three hours in the 18th century this morning, visiting our venerable master.
And two were to the same guy who spent three hours in the back room deciding.

Alternatives:

dedicated three hours
invested three hours
used three hours
devoted three hours
consumed three hours

took three hours

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the duration of time required to complete a task or activity.

This phrase is used to indicate the amount of time required to complete a task or activity. It is often followed by the action or task that took the time.

Examples:

It took three hours to finish the project.
The journey took three hours by car.
The repair work took three hours to complete.
The movie took three hours to watch.
The exam took three hours to complete.

Show examples from the web [+]

It took three hours to put the broken toy together.
Usually gall bladder removal takes 15 to 20 minutes, but in my case it took three hours because of complications.
This took three hours because it consists of several layers.
It took three hours for the virus to incubate.
Not until he finishes eating the meal that his mama took three hours to fix.
We even took three hours to rehearse this striking song.
It took three hours And two trips to the candy drawer

Alternatives:

required three hours
needed three hours
lasted three hours
consumed three hours
demanded three hours

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spent three hours vs took three hours