difficult spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging period or situation, often in a metaphorical sense, such as a tough time in life or a challenging task. Example: "After going through a difficult spell at work, she decided to take a break and focus on her mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's a very difficult spell".

Independent

The coach is right, I'm going through a difficult spell".

The Guardian - Sport

After that, admittedly, there was a difficult spell, one that lasted perhaps four years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The group is coming together after a difficult spell," said Rodgers.

The Guardian - Sport

Two generations back, her Communist grandparents fled Nazi Germany for a difficult spell in the Soviet Union.

Independent

Irbit says that while older bikers carried it through a difficult spell, younger American couples are also drawn to it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

This was even true towards the end of their maiden campaign, when inspiration dwindled and mistakes began to proliferate, as they managed to pull themselves sufficiently together to beat other teams who were enduring difficult spells, deservedly toppling Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The Guardian - Sport

Both men have paid heavily for foolish and unfortunate dismissals with public and selectors but, with rather more competition for his place during difficult spells than Belly boy, Martyn can count himself unlucky not to match the Englishman's number of caps.

The Guardian - Sport

This is probably one of the most difficult spells I've had as a manager".

BBC

"It was not so dramatically different to other games where we have had good spells and difficult spells," added Hughton.

BBC

"I'm happy to see him now much more than before because we have gone through difficult spells.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a period of hardship, use "difficult spell" to convey a temporary but challenging situation. Be specific about the context to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult spell" without providing context or specifics. Overgeneralizing can diminish the impact and leave the reader uninformed about the actual challenges faced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult spell" functions as a noun phrase where "difficult" modifies "spell", describing a challenging period or interval. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult spell" effectively describes a temporary period marked by challenges or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Common in news, sports, and lifestyle contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Alternative phrases include "challenging period" and "tough time", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "difficult spell", ensure to provide specific context to enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging period

Focuses on the duration and the problematic nature of the time.

tough time

Emphasizes the hardship experienced during the period.

hard phase

Highlights the stage-like nature of the difficulty.

rough patch

Suggests a temporary and uneven period of difficulty.

trying circumstances

Shifts focus to the conditions causing the difficulty.

adverse situation

Highlights the unfavorable nature of the situation.

testing times

Emphasizes the evaluative nature of the period.

grim chapter

Presents the difficulty as a segment of a larger narrative.

inauspicious moment

Focuses on the unfortunate timing of the difficulty.

problematic juncture

Highlights the criticality of the difficult point in time.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "difficult spell" in a sentence?

Use "difficult spell" to describe a temporary period marked by challenges or hardship. For example, "The company endured a "difficult spell" during the recession, but it managed to recover quickly".

What phrases are similar to "difficult spell"?

Alternatives include "challenging period", "tough time", or "hard phase". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult spell"?

Yes, "difficult spell" is grammatically correct. It is a common English phrase used to describe a challenging period or situation.

What's the difference between "difficult spell" and "challenging time"?

While both phrases are similar, "difficult spell" may imply a more temporary or defined duration of hardship, whereas "challenging time" might refer to a broader or less defined period.