a brilliant spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time or a specific instance where something magical or enchanting occurs, often in a literary or poetic context. Example: "The wizard cast a brilliant spell that illuminated the dark forest, captivating all who witnessed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And in Forlán's case it's a sad end to a brilliant spell at the club.

The Guardian - Sport

Under him, China, and of course the privileged Mongols, enjoyed a brilliant spell of prosperity, but his politics, pursued with less skill by his successors, isolated the Mongols in China from their environment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ajantha Mendis was dropped against New Zealand because of his struggles with a wet ball, to be replaced by Rangana Herath, who produced a brilliant spell of arm spin-bowling.

The Guardian - Sport

A brilliant spell of spin bowling from Lyon on Saturday dragged Australia back into contention and the 25-year-old off-spinner did not take long to rediscover his rhythm.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a brilliant spell of bowling.

BBC

But both were caught during a brilliant spell from Ravichandran Ashwin as India regained command.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

While Swann wove a brilliant mesmeric spell at one end, that brought him figures of 22-11-23-1 and reinforced histandingng as the best in the business it was Bresnan, a brilliant selection, who responded by producing the bowling of his life to start propelling Australia into the abyss.

The Guardian - Sport

The move by Neville, hugely respected in the game by players and loved by British fans after his brilliant spell as a pundit on Sky Sports, was seen by some as a way to fast-track his career to take over at the two most high profile jobs in English football.

Independent

England could then have played all of their four seamers, including Finn, who for all the brickbats thrown at him bowled a brilliant final spell at Lord's.

The Guardian - Sport

By shortly after tea, when Matt Prior tamely patted a catch that was snaffled with great glee in the gully, the scoreboard read 122 for six as Shaminda Eranga first of all, in a brilliant little spell, and then little rotund Rangana Herath, delivered body blows.

The Guardian - Sport

Patel's brilliant spell could not have come at a more critical moment, just as Glamorgan were beginning to suggest that Nottinghamshire's 244 for eight – a total that equalled the highest in a 40-over final – might be within their range.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific, short-lived period of excellence, use "a brilliant spell" to emphasize the intensity and positive impact of that time.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant spell" to describe ordinary or unremarkable events. Reserve it for situations where there is genuine exceptional performance or noteworthy occurrence. For example, do not use "a brilliant spell" to describe a regular shift at work, but rather for an outstanding achievement during a limited time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant spell" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "brilliant" is an adjective modifying the noun "spell". It acts as a descriptor for a period of time characterized by excellence or notable success. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant spell" is a noun phrase used to describe a period marked by outstanding performance or success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register suitable for reporting on notable events. When using "a brilliant spell", ensure it accurately reflects a period of genuine exceptionalism, avoiding overuse for mundane situations. Alternatives like "a remarkable period" or "an outstanding performance" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable period

Replaces "brilliant" with "remarkable" and "spell" with "period", emphasizing the noteworthiness of the duration.

an outstanding performance

Shifts focus to performance quality, using "outstanding" instead of "brilliant" and "performance" for "spell".

a dazzling display

Emphasizes visual impressiveness, substituting "brilliant" with "dazzling" and "spell" with "display".

an exceptional showing

Highlights the rarity and quality of the event, replacing "brilliant" with "exceptional" and "spell" with "showing".

an impressive stint

Uses "impressive" to convey admiration and "stint" as a shorter-term alternative to "spell".

a stellar run

Employs "stellar" to denote excellence and "run" to indicate a continuous period of success.

a magnificent streak

Substitutes "brilliant" with "magnificent" for grandeur and "spell" with "streak" to convey a continuous series of successes.

a fantastic stretch

Replaces "brilliant" with "fantastic" for enthusiasm and "spell" with "stretch" for a continuous span.

a glorious phase

Uses "glorious" to highlight positivity and triumph, replacing "spell" with "phase" for a distinct period.

a memorable chapter

Highlights the unforgettable quality of the period, substituting "spell" with "chapter" to suggest a part of a larger story.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant spell" to describe a period of exceptional performance or success, such as "The team enjoyed "a brilliant spell" in the second half of the game" or "The company experienced "a brilliant spell" of innovation under the new CEO".

What are some alternatives to saying "a brilliant spell"?

Alternatives include "a remarkable period", "an outstanding performance", or "an impressive stint", depending on the context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "a brilliant spell" formal or informal?

"A brilliant spell" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more common in journalistic or narrative writing than in highly technical or academic discourse.

What kind of events does "a brilliant spell" typically describe?

"A brilliant spell" typically describes sporting events, periods of economic success, artistic achievements, or any short period marked by notable and positive outcomes.