1.  A diabetic, she spent two days in the hospital last week when stress sent her blood pressure rocketing.

2.  A few months ago they had a big row, and Steve drove off and spent the weekend in London.

3.  A few years ago my friend Tim Hult and I spent one steamy-hot and jet-lagged afternoon wandering aimlessly around Bangkok.

4.  A final trend has been the attempt to contain the growth in welfare and social security spending.

5.  A friend spent some time recently looking for a card table.

6.  A great deal of money has been spent conserving a block of less-than-distinguished Victorian slums and warehouses.

7.  A great deal of spending went on social and community projects, an area where the voluntary sector flourished.

8.  A great deal of time was spent haggling over prices for specific tasks.