spend effort
يبذل جهدًا
Use `spend effort` to show that a task required real work and wasn't just luck.
En 15 segundos
- Using your personal energy and time to achieve a specific goal.
- Treating your hard work like a valuable currency or investment.
- Commonly used in work, relationships, and personal projects.
Significado
This phrase means giving your time, energy, and mental power to complete a task. Think of it like spending money, but you are using your personal energy instead.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Complimenting a home-cooked meal
I can tell you spent a lot of effort on this dinner; it tastes amazing!
I can tell you spent a lot of effort on this dinner; it tastes amazing!
Discussing a work project
We need to spend more effort on the marketing phase next month.
We need to spend more effort on the marketing phase next month.
Texting a friend about a hobby
I spent so much effort on my garden today, I'm exhausted!
I spent so much effort on my garden today, I'm exhausted!
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the Western 'time is money' metaphor, where personal resources like effort are viewed as investments. It became widely used in professional and self-improvement contexts in the mid-20th century. In modern culture, 'spending effort' on someone is often seen as a 'love language' or a sign of deep respect.
Pair with Adjectives
Make your English sound more natural by adding words like 'extra', 'maximum', or 'wasted' before 'effort'.
Don't say 'Cost Effort'
Even though effort is like money, we don't say something 'costs effort.' Stick to 'spend' or 'take'.
En 15 segundos
- Using your personal energy and time to achieve a specific goal.
- Treating your hard work like a valuable currency or investment.
- Commonly used in work, relationships, and personal projects.
What It Means
To spend effort is to invest your physical or mental energy into something. It implies that your energy is a limited resource. Just like your bank account, you choose where to use it. When you spend effort, you are working hard to make a specific result happen. It is more than just 'doing' something. It is doing something with purpose and focus.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase to describe work, relationships, or hobbies. It usually follows a subject like 'I', 'we', or 'they'. For example, "I spent a lot of effort on this cake." It sounds natural when you want to show that something wasn't easy. You can add adjectives like considerable, much, or minimal to change the intensity. Don't worry about being too technical. It works perfectly in everyday conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to highlight the hard work behind a result. It is great for performance reviews at work. Use it when thanking someone for a thoughtful gift. It is perfect for telling a friend why you are tired. If you stayed up all night studying, you spent a lot of effort. If you cleaned the whole house for a guest, you spent effort to make them feel welcome.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it for things that are automatic or accidental. You don't spend effort breathing or blinking. Also, if a task was incredibly easy, saying you spent effort might sound sarcastic. If you just clicked a button, don't say you spent effort. In very high-level academic writing, scholars might prefer exert effort. However, for 99% of life, spend effort is your best friend.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong focus on the 'value' of time and energy. We treat effort like a currency. This comes from a work ethic that rewards 'putting in the hours.' When you tell someone you spent effort on them, it is a high compliment. It means you value them enough to use your precious energy. It is a way of showing sincerity and commitment.
Common Variations
You will often hear put in effort or make an effort. These are very similar and often interchangeable. Put in effort feels a bit more active and physical. Make an effort is often used when someone is trying but perhaps failing. Spend effort is the most descriptive way to show that energy was 'used up' to get a job done. It emphasizes the cost to the person doing the work.
Notas de uso
This is a very safe, neutral phrase. It works in almost any situation from a casual text to a business meeting without sounding out of place.
Pair with Adjectives
Make your English sound more natural by adding words like 'extra', 'maximum', or 'wasted' before 'effort'.
Don't say 'Cost Effort'
Even though effort is like money, we don't say something 'costs effort.' Stick to 'spend' or 'take'.
The 'Low Effort' Insult
In internet culture, calling something 'low effort' is a common way to say it is lazy or bad quality.
Ejemplos
6I can tell you spent a lot of effort on this dinner; it tastes amazing!
I can tell you spent a lot of effort on this dinner; it tastes amazing!
Shows appreciation for the cook's hard work.
We need to spend more effort on the marketing phase next month.
We need to spend more effort on the marketing phase next month.
Professional way to suggest increasing focus.
I spent so much effort on my garden today, I'm exhausted!
I spent so much effort on my garden today, I'm exhausted!
Casual way to explain why you are tired.
I spent way too much effort trying to open this pickle jar.
I spent way too much effort trying to open this pickle jar.
Uses the phrase for a minor, funny struggle.
I am willing to spend the effort to make our relationship work.
I am willing to spend the effort to make our relationship work.
Shows deep commitment and sincerity.
The team spent considerable effort ensuring the data was accurate.
The team spent considerable effort ensuring the data was accurate.
Uses 'considerable' to add a formal tone.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a difficult exam.
She ___ a lot of effort into studying for the bar exam.
We 'spend' effort like we spend money to show the use of resources.
Complete the sentence to show you didn't try very hard.
I only spent ___ effort on the decorations because I was in a rush.
'Minimal effort' is a common collocation for doing the bare minimum.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Spend Effort'
Talking to friends about chores.
I spent effort on this!
Standard daily communication.
He spent effort fixing it.
Business reports or speeches.
Considerable effort was spent.
Where to use 'Spend Effort'
At the Gym
Spending effort on cardio.
Office Meeting
Spending effort on a presentation.
Kitchen
Spending effort on a new recipe.
Relationships
Spending effort to listen better.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, they are very similar. 'Try hard' is more of an action, while 'spend effort' focuses on the energy you used up.
No, 'effort' is usually uncountable here. Say spend effort or make an effort instead.
It is okay, but exerted effort or dedicated time and effort sounds slightly more professional in a written CV.
Yes! You can say, "I spent so much effort on that project and it failed," to show your frustration.
They are almost identical. Put in effort is slightly more common in casual American English.
Absolutely. It means you are working hard to help them or improve the relationship, like spending effort on a friend.
Both work, but spend effort on is more common for tasks, like spending effort on a report.
You can say you spent zero effort or spent no effort on the task.
It is used and understood perfectly in both British and American English.
No, it is often used for mental work, like spending effort on a difficult math problem.
Frases relacionadas
Put in effort
To apply energy or work to a task.
Exert effort
A more formal way to say you are using physical or mental power.
Go the extra mile
To do more than what is expected of you.
Spare no effort
To do everything possible to achieve something.
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