to expend
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to expend
To use or consume time, money, effort, or other resources for a specific purpose.
Für die Renovierung des Hauses mussten wir eine beträchtliche Summe aufwenden.
We had to expend a considerable sum on renovating the house.
'Aufwenden' (to expend) is a separable verb. The prefix 'auf' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Für dieses Projekt wenden wir viel Zeit auf.
We are expending a lot of time on this project.
This verb is almost always used with abstract resources. Typical combinations are 'Zeit aufwenden' (to expend time), 'Geld aufwenden' (to expend money), 'Energie aufwenden' (to expend energy), and 'Mühe aufwenden' (to expend effort).
Er musste viel Energie aufwenden, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.
He had to expend a lot of energy to pass the exam.
The purpose for which the resources are used is very often indicated with the preposition 'für' and the accusative.
Wie viel Geld wollt ihr für die Reise aufwenden?
How much money do you want to expend on the trip?
'Aufwenden' (to expend) belongs more to written language or formal contexts. It often sounds more elevated and is frequently used in reports or official documents.
Die Firma musste erhebliche finanzielle Mittel für die Forschung aufwenden.
The company had to expend considerable financial resources on research.
to spend / transfer
Verbringen describes what fills a period of time. Aufwenden, by contrast, presents that same time as a resource that is deliberately used or expended for a purpose. Aufwenden is therefore appropriate when the emphasis is on the use of time.
Sie wandte drei Stunden für die Vorbereitung des Vortrags auf.
She devoted three hours to preparing the presentation.
Sie verbrachte drei Stunden mit der Vorbereitung des Vortrags.
She spent three hours preparing the presentation.
