a spell of time

USAGE SUMMARY

'a spell of time' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It generally implies a period of time during which something happens, often something that is pleasant or pleasant-feeling. Example: A spell of time passed as we enjoyed the perfect summer evening.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But there is a spell of time when children are innocent shoppers, choosing what they like rather than what they are told they need by peers and marketers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The activities constituting a project are seldom carried out in sequential order, rather they can be spread out during a short or a long spell of time.

European Transport Research Review

It's a lesson in self-awareness Solo travellers tend to meet numerous different personalities in a short spell of time, a valuable lesson in learning what you do and don't like about others - and yourself.

Huffington Post

And that is before mentioning Wes Hoolahan, who was physically incapable of playing two full games in such a short spell of time in France.

The Guardian - Sport

This afternoon will be mainly cloud with a spell of rain for a time.

BBC

The hosts enjoyed a spell of pressure before half-time and midfielder Gary Gardner, on loan from Aston Villa, struck a first-time effort from 25 yards straight at Charlton goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

BBC

It was not, by any means, an unprecedented spell of time-wasting Mbappé would have been rightime-wasting Mbappéghts Serie A—but it wouldrutally effective.

The New Yorker

My hotel, the Golden Tulip, was also still under a spell of sorts: a 70s time-warp of piped muzak so bad that it's good.

The Guardian - Travel

Chris Kiwomya's County had a spell of pressure before half-time and plenty of chances before equalising, a header from Jeff Hughes the closest they came to levelling before captain Bishop netted his sixth goal of the season.

BBC

Unfortunately, for many Americans, having a baby right now triggers a spell of poverty rather than a time of joy.

The New York Times

The trick here is to use frequent mini-rewards to keep going from one small spell of time to the next (such as every 30 minutes).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spell of time" to suggest a limited duration, often associated with a particular activity or condition. For example, "She spent a spell of time volunteering at the local shelter."

Common error

Avoid using "spelt of time" as a variant of "a spell of time". "Spelt" is the past tense of "spell" as in 'to spell a word', not related to a duration of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spell of time" functions as a noun phrase indicating a duration or period. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often modifies a verb, describing the length of an action or state. Examples show its use in diverse contexts, suggesting flexibility in application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spell of time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a duration. According to Ludwig, it is deemed correct and appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Its function is primarily to quantify or qualify the length of an event, and its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "a period of time" exist, understanding the nuance of "a spell of time" can enhance writing precision. It's advisable to avoid the misspelling "spelt of time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a period of time

This alternative is a more general and widely applicable term for indicating a duration.

a duration

This alternative offers a concise way to refer to a length of time.

a stretch of time

This alternative emphasizes a continuous, unbroken period of time.

a span of time

This alternative is similar to "a stretch of time" but may imply a longer duration.

a while

This alternative is an informal way to express a period of time, typically short.

a phase

This alternative indicates a specific period within a larger process or cycle.

an interval

This alternative highlights a gap or space between two points in time.

a season

This alternative refers to a recurring period associated with specific activities or characteristics.

a term

This alternative often refers to a defined period, such as in school or politics.

a window of opportunity

This alternative highlights a limited time frame in which something can be accomplished.

FAQs

How can I use "a spell of time" in a sentence?

"A spell of time" is used to describe a period during which something occurs. For example, "I lived in Ireland for "a spell of time"."

What's a more formal alternative to "a spell of time"?

A more formal alternative could be "a period of time", which is suitable for academic and professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "spelt of time" instead of "a spell of time"?

No, "spelt of time" is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a spell of time"", where "spell" refers to a duration.

How does "a spell of time" differ from "a moment"?

"A spell of time" implies a longer, often unspecified duration, while "a moment" refers to a very short period.