a brief spell

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief spell" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a short period of time. For example, "I had to endure a brief spell of homesickness when I first moved away from home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Henri Matisse was also interested for a brief spell).

The New York Times - Arts

He sang unaided, and impressively, for a brief spell.

The New York Times - Arts

For a brief spell, they were a couple.

The New Yorker

She has been arrested at a protest and endured a brief spell in jail.

The New York Times - Magazine

But a brief spell back in Trinidad in 2000 proved inspiring.

The Economist

After a brief spell in prison, he wandered through northern France and Belgium for several months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1940 she went back to Wichita for a brief spell.

The New York Times - Books

There was, for a brief spell, a line at Donuts Unlimited.

The New Yorker

Haley was the sixth player called up for a brief spell with the Rangers this season.

The New York Times - Sports

After a brief spell in Oxford he was offered a chair of sociology at Manchester.

The Guardian

It goes into the steamer for a brief spell and emerges succulent and aromatic.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief spell" to describe short periods of time in situations ranging from personal experiences to professional engagements. It adds a touch of formality without being overly verbose.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief spell" when more casual phrases like "a short time" or "a moment" would be more appropriate. Overusing it in informal settings can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief spell" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration of an event or state. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief spell" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a short period of time. Ludwig confirms that it's found across various contexts, primarily in news and media, with a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's beneficial to consider the context to ensure the level of formality aligns with your intended audience, and the various alternative phrases offered can provide nuance or precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short period

Emphasizes the limited duration using a more general term.

a fleeting moment

Suggests the period was not only short but also quickly disappeared.

a temporary phase

Highlights the transitional nature of the period.

a short stint

Commonly used in professional contexts to describe a short employment or activity.

a passing episode

Focuses on the event-like nature of the short duration.

a quick interlude

Implies a short break or pause within a longer activity.

a momentary lapse

Highlights a short break or deviation from a norm or standard.

a concise interval

Stresses the brevity and defined nature of the time period.

a snap

An informal way of describing something very fast or quick.

a split second

Suggests an extremely short and precise moment in time.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief spell" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief spell" to describe a short period of time, such as "After a brief spell in London, she moved to Paris."

What can I say instead of "a brief spell"?

You can use alternatives like "a short period", "a fleeting moment", or "a temporary phase" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a brief spell" or "a short time"?

Both "a brief spell" and "a short time" are correct, but "a brief spell" is slightly more formal and might be preferred in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "a brief spell" and "a short stint"?

"A brief spell" is a general term for a short duration, while "a short stint" often refers to a short period of employment or activity.