spend time with

Meaning

This phrase means to use your time to be with someone, such as friends, family, or a partner. It focuses on sharing experiences, talking, or simply relaxing together. It is a neutral, highly common expression used in both casual and formal contexts.

Examples

• I love to spend time with my grandparents on the weekends.

  I love to spend time with my grandparents on the weekends.

• How much time do you spend with your kids after work?

  How much time do you spend with your kids after work?

• She wants to spend more time with her friends this summer.

  She wants to spend more time with her friends this summer.

• We spent some time with our neighbors at the backyard barbecue.

  We spent some time with our neighbors at the backyard barbecue.

• It's important to spend quality time with your partner.

  It's important to spend quality time with your partner.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to pass time with my family.

  ✓ I want to spend time with my family.

  'Pass time' means to do something to avoid being bored while waiting. To hang out or be with people, use 'spend time'.

• ✗ I spent my time with read books.

  ✓ I spent my time reading books.

  If you add an activity after 'spend time', use the -ing form of the verb instead of the base form.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I wish I could ___ my sister more often, but she lives in another city.

  💡 Use the base form of the verb.

  Show answer

  spend time with

• He ___ his dogs in the park every evening.

  💡 Remember the third-person singular 's' for the present tense.

  Show answer

  spends time with