Difference between spend and waste time

[paul yamashi]

Test No. incompl/inter-85 "Simple Present (2)", question 3

Now Sally is an entirely different kettle of fish. Her philosophy runs as follows: 'Worrying never gets you anywhere and life is too short to ......... time imagining the worst.'

(a) pass
(b) spend
(c) expend
(d) waste

Test No. incompl/inter-85 "Simple Present (2)", answer 3

Now Sally is an entirely different kettle of fish. Her philosophy runs as follows: 'Worrying never gets you anywhere and life is too short to waste time imagining the worst.'

Correct answer: (d) waste

Your answer was: incorrect
Now Sally is an entirely different kettle of fish. Her philosophy runs as follows: 'Worrying never gets you anywhere and life is too short to spend time imagining the worst.'
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why it was WASTE?and why we didn't use pass or spend time?

paul yamashi

[Alan]

Spend time is an acceptable expression but in this sentence I want to give the idea that there is no point in spending time that has no purpose and that is why I have chosen waste.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Sultano]

I want to know the meaning of Ktlle of fish.
could you give me a varitey of sentences?

[Alan]

Hi,

Are you thinking of 'kettle of fish'?

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Melek]

I want to know the meaning 'kettle of fish' ,too

[Anushila]

Please Doctor see me first. or Doctor ,please see me first.
Which one is correct?

[Alan]

Hi,

The first one is more of a begging request. The second one would be more usual.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Saneta]

please explain: Now Sally is an entirely different kettle of fish

thanks

[Alan]

Hi Saneta,

This means someone or something completely different.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[Kati Svaby]

Hello, this is another of pice of cake and this is entirely kettle a fish means same? Kati svaby

[Kati Svaby]

This is another piece of cake or this is entirely kettle fish ?

do these idioms mean same? K.s.

[Kati Svaby]

I make mistakes because this is a brand new iPad and I am very unfamiliar with it.

[Kati Svaby]

Hello,

I made a mistake!
piece of cake= a thing that is very easy to do
a different kettle of fish=completely different situation from the one previously mentioned.(OED)

It is never too late to learn!
or
We live and learn!
Kati Svaby