busy spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "busy spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time when someone is very occupied or engaged in various activities. Example: "I've been going through a busy spell at work, juggling multiple projects and deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was a bit battered and bruised, but I've had plenty of physio and took a couple of extra days off this week, with a busy spell ahead".

Independent

"We go to Sunderland again on Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup and then we have a really busy spell of league games over Christmas, starting with Arsenal away on Monday week," the Blues captain said in his programme notes.

Independent

The incident took place during a busy spell for Asian-American online-media activism, from a Fox News "Watters' World" segment lampooning Chinatown to murmurs of a reboot of Disney's "Mulan" starring a white male love interest to the release of a trailer about a new Bruce Lee film told from the perspective of one of his white disciples.

The New Yorker

And the FA Cup winners are now set for another busy spell of games.

BBC

Parata will hope the momentum carries the team through a very busy spell in the coming months.

BBC

It was a really busy spell and we've come through that and played well in most of the games.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In busy spells -- which in the Broadway arena typically include the two weeks before Thanksgiving and the month before the various award deadlines in the spring -- it is not uncommon for critics and award nominators to find themselves at five or six a week.

Huffington Post

Jittery markets around the world have helped IG Group, the spread-betting firm that caters for amateur speculators, to report a 40% jump in annual profit and to record its busiest spell last month.

The Guardian - Business

Davies is preparing for one of the busiest spells of his long, not always busy, career.

The Guardian - Film

Two well-known high street names, Blacks and La Senza, were heading towards administration after the busy trading spell in the runup to Christmas failed to resolve their respective solvency crises.

The Guardian - Business

Dr. Apovian said robots might one day help spell busy physicians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "busy spell", provide context about the specific activities or events contributing to the increased workload to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "busy spell" to describe long-term, systemic issues. Instead, reserve it for temporary periods of increased activity or demand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy spell" functions as a noun phrase describing a period of increased activity. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in contexts ranging from sports schedules to media activism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "busy spell" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a period characterized by intense activity or workload. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. While "busy spell" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. It is also important to use "busy spell" for temporary increases in activity, to not confuse it with long-term trends. Common alternative expressions with similar meaning include "hectic period" and "busy period".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

busy period

A more general term emphasizing the state of being occupied.

hectic period

Focuses on the chaotic and demanding nature of the time.

demanding stretch

Highlights the taxing nature of the prolonged activity.

packed schedule

Highlights the fullness and lack of free time.

intensive phase

Emphasizes the concentrated effort during a specific timeframe.

intense workload

Focuses specifically on the high volume of work during the period.

active stint

Suggests a period of active involvement or work.

peak season

Applicable when the increased activity is seasonal or cyclical.

flurry of activity

Implies a sudden burst of multiple actions.

eventful chapter

Suggests a period filled with significant or noteworthy occurrences.

FAQs

How can I describe a "busy spell" in a professional context?

In professional settings, consider using alternatives like "hectic period", "busy period", or "demanding stretch" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between a "busy spell" and a "busy period"?

While similar, "busy spell" often implies a temporary surge in activity, whereas "busy period" can refer to a more sustained state of high activity. The choice depends on the specific context and duration.

Is "busy spell" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "busy spell" is more commonly found in news and general contexts. For academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "intensive phase" or "active stint".

What are some common collocations with "busy spell"?

Common collocations include "through a busy spell", "during a busy spell", and "ahead of a busy spell". These phrases help to frame the period of increased activity within a specific timeframe or context.