Word spot



pay or spend



1) Find the correct sentence in each pair.

1a) I'd appreciate it if the firm paid for my expenses as soon as possible.
1b) I'd appreciate it if the firm paid my expenses as soon as possible.
1b) I'd appreciate it if the firm paid my expenses as soon as possible.


2a) The government has spent a lot of money in the construction of roads.
2b) The government has spent a lot of money on the construction of roads.
2b) The government has spent a lot of money on the construction of roads.



pay (for) (something)

When we purchase something which then becomes ours, we pay for the item:
Breakfast was included, but we paid for our other meals.

When we pay (something) because the money is owed, we omit for, e.g. pay a bill:
We paid the bill with cash. Don't forget to pay the rent.


Spend money and time

We spend money on (something):
Young people spend a lot of money on entertainment.

We spend time (doing something):
We spent the afternoon sitting in the garden.


We spend time + preposition + place:

- spend time at a building or location, e.g. at a theatre/castle, at the beach
- spend time in a city or country, e.g. in London / Canada
- spend time in an enclosed area, e.g. in the garden / bath / swimming pool.
- spend time with (someone), e.g. with a friend

We spent an afternoon at the beach.
We spent eight days in London with my parents.




2) Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct those which are wrong.

  1. All our expenses were paid by the company.
    CORRECT

  2. They paid all our meals and our accommodation.
    2) They paid FOR all our meals and our accommodation.

  3. How much time do you spend doing your homework?
    CORRECT

  4. How long did you spend at Madrid?
    4) How long did you spend IN Madrid?

  5. How did you pay the tickets - cash or credit card?
    5) How did you pay FOR the tickets - cash or credit card?

  6. The evening we spent in the theatre was terrible.
    6) The evening we spent AT the theatre was terrible.

  7. How much money did you spend for the holiday?
    7) How much money did you spend ON the holiday?

  8. I spent the weekend in my family.
    8) I spent the weekend WITH my family.