引言
在英语学习过程中，许多同学会混淆 spend to do 和 spend doing 的用法。 实际上，“spend to do” 是不符合英语习惯的表达，正确的结构应为 “spend time/money (in) doing something”。
正确用法：spend + 时间/金钱 + (in) doing
动词 spend 后面接动名词（-ing 形式），表示“花时间或金钱做某事”。
✅ I spent two hours reading this book.
✅ She spends a lot of money shopping online.
✅ They spent the whole day playing video games.
✅ She spends a lot of money shopping online.
✅ They spent the whole day playing video games.
注意：in 可以省略，通常口语中直接使用 spend + doing。
为什么不能说 “spend to do”？
英语中，spend 是一个后接动名词（gerund）的动词，类似于 enjoy、avoid、consider 等。
它不与不定式（to do）连用。
❌ I spent two hours to read this book. （错误！）
✅ I spent two hours reading this book. （正确）
✅ I spent two hours reading this book. （正确）
对比其他类似结构
有些动词后面接不定式（to do），而有些接动名词（doing）。以下是几个常见对比：
- decide to do（决定去做）→ ✅ I decided to study abroad.
- enjoy doing（喜欢做）→ ✅ He enjoys swimming.
- hope to do（希望做）→ ✅ We hope to visit Japan.
- spend doing（花时间/钱做）→ ✅ She spent $50 buying gifts.
常见错误总结
- 误用 “spend to do” 表达花费时间做事。
- 混淆 “spend” 与 “take” 的句型（如 It takes time to do...）。
- 在写作或口语中因母语干扰而直译成 “spend to do”。
记住口诀：“Spend 后面跟 doing，to do 一定不行！”
小测试（自测）
判断以下句子是否正确：
- 1. He spent all night to finish the project. → ❌
- 2. He spent all night finishing the project. → ✅
- 3. They spent their vacation traveling in Europe. → ✅