Conjugation of "Spend" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To use money to buy something, or use time on an activity.
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All 12 Tenses of "Spend"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "spend" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I spend |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I spent |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will spend |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am spending |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was spending |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be spending |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have spent |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had spent |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have spent |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been spending |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been spending |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been spending |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Spend" — Spent
The past simple of "spend" is "spent". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "spend" is irregular, "spent" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
- I spent $50 on books yesterday. A1
- They spent their vacation traveling through Europe. B1
Past Participle of "Spend" — Spent
The past participle of "spend" is "spent". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have spent"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was spent"). Because "spend" is irregular, "spent" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
- I spent $50 on books yesterday. A1
- They spent their vacation traveling through Europe. B1
Is "Spend" Regular or Irregular?
"Spend" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "spend", past simple "spent", and past participle "spent". The 3rd-person singular present is "spends" and the present participle/gerund is "spending". Conjugation pattern: Irregular: spend → spent → spent.
Conjugation pattern: Irregular: spend → spent → spent
How to Pronounce "Spend" and Its Forms
Spend: /spɛnd/ — Stress pattern: O
Short 'e' sound; rhymes with 'bend' and 'send'.
How to Use "Spend" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'spend on' for money, 'spend on' or just 'spend' for time.
Example Sentences with "Spend" in Different Tenses
- Simple Past: I spent $50 on books yesterday. A1
Common Collocations with "Spend"
- spend money
- spend time
- spend the day
- overspend
When to Use "Spend" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- use — general consuming of resources or time
- invest — spending money expecting future return
Common Mistakes with "Spend"
-
Wrong: She spend often.
Correct: She spends often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Origin and Etymology of "Spend"
From Old English pendan, meaning to weigh or pay out.
Other Forms of "Spend"
- Noun: spending
Conjugation Tables for "Spend"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not spend · He does not spend
- Simple past: I did not spend · She did not spend
- Present perfect: I have not spent · He has not spent
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you spend? · Does he spend?
- Simple past: Did you spend?
- Present perfect: Have you spent?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is spent
- Simple past passive: It was spent
- Present perfect passive: It has been spent
Frequently Asked Questions About "Spend"
- Is "spend" regular or irregular?
- "spend" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "spent" and past participle is "spent". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "spend"?
- The simple past of "spend" is "spent".
- Are the past simple and past participle the same for "spend"?
- Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "spent".