Pass-The-Time-Spend-Time | Commonly Confused Words
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Pass the time vs. Spend time

Pass the time

/pæs ðə taɪm/
To engage in an activity to make a period of time seem shorter or less boring.

Examples:

Reading books helps me pass the time during commutes.Playing board games is a fun way to pass the time.She chats with friends online to pass the time.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Spend time

To use or allocate a period for a specific activity or with someone

Examples:

He loves to spend time exploring new hiking trails.Let's spend time discussing the project details next week.You should spend time reflecting on your future goals.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Pass the time implies doing something unproductive or simply to fill time when waiting for something else.
  • Spend time generally implies a more deliberate or meaningful use of time, often engaging in a planned activity.
  • When you pass the time, you are usually just trying to avoid boredom.
  • In contrast, when you spend time, you might be doing something you enjoy or find important.
  • Pass the time often refers to temporary or short-term solutions for using time.
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