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 need
'brauchen' and 'aufwenden' can both have to do with time, money, effort, or other resources. 'brauchen' describes more how much time or material is needed for something. 'aufwenden' emphasizes that someone deliberately uses this time, money, or effort for a purpose. That is why 'aufwenden' often sounds a bit more formal or precise, especially in planning, work, or costs. The words can be confused because both can be used with quantities. Put simply: a task takes time; a person spends time on the task with 'aufwenden'.
Für die Bewerbung wendet Max jeden Abend viel Zeit auf.
Max spends a lot of time on the application every evening.
Nele hat wegen des schlechten Wetters länger für den Weg zur Schule gebraucht.
Because of the bad weather, Nele took longer to get to school.