Spend or spent?

[Kingfisher]

Dear Sirs,

I have a question relating to correct use of the word ''spend''. Perhaps you can clarify whether a), b), or both are grammatically correct, and the reasons why?

a) With every $30 spend in a single receipt, you will receive a free gift.

b) With every $30 spent in a single receipt, you will receive a free gift.

The statement is for use in some promotional literature for a retail outlet and is designed to let the consumer know that they cannot combine several receipts in order to accumulate the $30 required for a free gift - the $30 must be in a single receipt.

Your inputs will help to resolve a conflict that is raging in my office!

Many thanks,
Ian

[Sweetpumpkin]

Hi,

I think b) is the right answer. The reasons are:

(1) The preposition 'with' can take only pronouns and noun phrases. 'every $30 spend in a single receit' is not a noun phrase nor a perfect clause. 'Spend', a root verb, cannot modify nouns in any ways.

(2) However, both present participle and past participle(like 'spent' in b) can modify nouns after them. In my logic, the prepositional phrase "with every $30 spent in a single receipt" can be paraphrased to 'With every $30 which is spent in a single receipt~". You can delete 'which is' in the latter. Besides, in meaning, I think the amount of money($30) cannot spend itself; it must be spent (by someone).

If my explanation is not enough or wrong, I think the gurus here will tell you more.

sweetpumpkin

[Kingfisher]

Many thanks for your reply

I am wondering whether or not the context we are using is too informal? What we are trying to say is something to the effect of:

With every dollar (you) spend….but for the sake of casual English we have dropped “You”

Another example, taken from the Cambridge Dictionary, would be

Spend noun [S] UK INFORMAL
the amount of money that is spent on something:
The total spend on the project was almost a million pounds.

Under these circumstances would using spend instead of spent still be incorrect?

[RachelsEnglish]

You are right - "b) With every $30 spent in a single receipt, you will receive a free gift." is correct and a) is not correct. In a way it almost a verb acting as an adjective - describing the $30.

It is not at all too casual, it is a common usage. An alternative option would be "With every $30 you spend in a single receipt, you will receive a free gift." No need to change it though.
_______
Rachel
www.RachelsEnglish.com

[Sweetpumpkin]

Oh my god, your reply buy me. I didn't think of 'spend' as a noun.

Umm... let's wait for more answers! Thank you for the intersting question.