spend time doing sth
fixed phr..fixed phr.. To use a period of time to do a particular activity. You often use this to talk about hobbies or how you use your free time.
fixed phr.. A common verb pattern, `spend + [time period] + [gerund-participle phrase]`, used to describe the allocation of time to a specific activity.
I spend time reading every evening.
He spends a lot of time playing video games instead of doing his homework.
The researchers will spend considerable time analysing the data before they can publish any conclusive findings about the long-term effects.
The verb following the time expression must be in the -ing form (a gerund).
Contrast this structure with 'take time to do sth', which often implies a necessary, deliberate process, whereas 'spend time doing sth' is more about general allocation.
She spends time to paint on weekends.She spends time painting on weekends.This pattern requires the -ing form (gerund) after the time expression, not the 'to' infinitive.