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In below sentence it's mentioned "on two weeks":
They'll quite happily squander a whole year's savings on two weeks in the sun.
whereas so far I learned to speak in this way:
They'll quite happily squander a whole year's savings in two weeks in the sun.
I want to know which one is correct. In my opinion "in two weeks" means within two weeks which seems more likely correct.
Which is correct depends on what is meant.
"They'll quite happily squander a whole year's savings on two weeks in the sun" means they will squander the year's savings by spending it on a holiday; a package deal, perhaps, or an expensive hotel.
"They'll quite happily squander a whole year's savings in two weeks in the sun" means that they will squander the year's savings during the two-week period; on gambling, perhaps, or some other pleasure, and for some reason the sunniness is relevant (heat affecting the brain, perhaps?).
In this case, "on" is correct. You can squander something of value. And you can squander something of value on something of lesser value.
All of these are correct:
I'll spend $10 on a car.
I'll squander $1,000 on a broken down car.
I'll squander $10 on two weeks in the sun.
I'll happily squander a whole year's savings on two weeks in the sun.
Two weeks in the sun means going away, probably somewhere foreign, for a holiday. It typically costs for travel and accommodation, so it certainly something that you could spend ("squander") money on.
in this case on is correct bc they r spending their money on something. if in, then you would have to write it and in 2 weeks they will happily squander all their years savings in the sun or something like that. Im sorry I don't have an explanation, but as a native english speaker I guess i don't really have one
*italics*) to demonstrate the use-mention distinction.
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:29