a long spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an extended period of time, often implying a duration that feels significant or noteworthy. Example: "After a long spell of rainy weather, the sun finally came out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Silence for a long spell.

The New Yorker

Then a long spell of political and perhaps constitutional chaos".

Independent

For a long spell after that, England were pretty comfortable.

The Guardian - Sport

For refiners it is a welcome respite from a long spell of gloom.

The Economist

It is clear he hopes for a long spell at the top.

The Economist

Instead, he spent 11 years working in the oil industry, including a long spell in Paris.

Independent

But after a long spell of rain and floods a few cats showed up.

The New Yorker

The Brazilian is set for a long spell on the sidelines.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite excited talk of execution, Mr Mann probably faces a long spell in jail.

The Economist

A long spell of dark days become a conspiracy to overthrow mankind by force and violence.

The New Yorker

There was the heady fury of vindication after a long spell in the cold.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long spell" to describe periods of time that are noticeably extended or have a significant impact on the situation being described. For example, use it when describing weather patterns, economic conditions, or personal absences.

Common error

Avoid using "a long spell" when a more specific timeframe is available. Providing concrete durations (e.g., "three months", "several years") adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long spell" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration of an event or state. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, reinforcing its role in specifying temporal extent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long spell" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that functions to indicate an extended period of time. Ludwig's analysis, together with the examples, confirms that its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to sports and general conversation. While versatile, it's important to consider more precise alternatives if a specific duration is known. Given its prevalence in reputable sources like The Guardian, BBC, and The New York Times, "a long spell" is a reliable and effective way to describe duration in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended period

Focuses on the duration being longer than usual, similar to "a long spell".

a lengthy period

Emphasizes the considerable length of time involved.

a considerable time

Highlights that the duration is significant.

a prolonged duration

Stresses the continuous nature and extended length of the time.

an extensive stretch

Implies a continuous and broad expanse of time.

a significant period

Underscores the importance or impact of the duration.

a drawn-out interval

Highlights the tedious or slow-moving nature of the time.

a protracted time

Focuses on the extension and potential inconvenience of the time.

a good while

Informal way to indicate a notable duration.

an age

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a very long duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long spell" to describe a period of time that is noticeably extended. For example: "After "a long spell of" rainy weather, the sun finally came out".

What are some alternatives to "a long spell"?

Alternatives to "a long spell" include "an extended period", "a lengthy period", or "a considerable time", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "a long spell" formal or informal?

"A long spell" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "a prolonged duration" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "a long spell" and "a long time"?

While both phrases refer to a significant duration, "a long spell" often implies a continuous period or a phase, whereas "a long time" is a more general term for an extended duration.