"we have spent" vs "we spent"

Question

"we have spent" vs "we spent"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'We spent' is used to talk about a specific past action that is completed, while 'We have spent' is used to indicate a past action that has relevance to the present moment. The choice between the two depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

This phrase is used to show that a past action has an impact on the present or is still ongoing. It connects the past action to the current situation.

Examples:

We have spent a lot of time on this project.
They have spent all their savings on the house renovation.
She has spent years studying for this exam.
He has spent his whole life working in this industry.
The team has spent weeks preparing for the event.

Alternatives:

We have used up
We have consumed
We have exhausted
We have utilized
We have squandered

This phrase is used to refer to a past action that happened at a specific point in the past and is already finished. It does not have a direct connection to the present moment.

Examples:

We spent all day at the beach yesterday.
They spent a lot of money on their vacation.
She spent hours working on her project.
He spent his childhood in that small town.
The team spent months preparing for the competition.

Alternatives:

We used up
We consumed
We exhausted
We utilized
We squandered

Answer 1

we have spent

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a past action that has relevance to the present moment.

Answer 2

we spent

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a specific past action that is completed.

"we have spent" vs "we spent"

we have spent

we spent

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