even for a spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even for a spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a brief period of time or a temporary situation. Example: "I decided to take a break from work, even for a spell, to recharge my energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Terry Hodskins, president of the Michigan Pit Bull Education Project, said she initiated her group's new short-term fostering program in part because it's good for the dogs to get out of their kennels, even for a spell.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When the trophies were rolling in at Old Trafford he was trying to find alternative employment, even working for a spell in a chocolates factory in Preston.

The Guardian - Sport

She even lived for a spell in Summit, N.J., in a house to which her first husband, March Chase Waring, a banker and lawyer, would return every evening from a job in New York City.

The New York Times

Yet we somehow tasted New York on our tongue in great, over-powering draught, and felt that to sail away from os intoxicating a place would be unbearable, even for a brief spell.

The New Yorker

Makoti, who had worked with European foresters, American primatologists and even for a brief spell with the UCL anthropologist Lewis, seemed to understand what I was after, and why I had come such a long way to spend time with his family and friends.

The Guardian

They even kidnapped him for a spell.

The Guardian

With them, Seattle were one of the more difficult outs in the NFC for a spell, even making a Super Bowl appearance in 2006 where they were beaten by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were helped by some questionable refereeing.

The Guardian - Sport

And the outside elements only reinforce the purgatorial air in which the Tyrones are adrift; even when they go out for a spell, they trail a cloud of dashed hopes and regrets.

The New Yorker

One building retained enough of a setback to remain occupied for a spell, even as the dicey situation kept rents low.

Los Angeles Times

Lead researcher Walter F. Stewart, director of the Center for Health Research & Rural Advocacy for Geisinger Health Systems in Danville, Pa., said workers in pain might have trouble concentrating, work more slowly than usual or even put their heads down for a spell.

Los Angeles Times

He married into it; he even lived in the Chelsea Hotel itself for a spell.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even for a spell" to add a touch of elegance or old-fashioned charm to your writing, especially when describing a brief or temporary situation. This phrase works well in narratives and descriptive passages to evoke a sense of transience or fleeting moments.

Common error

Avoid using "even for a spell" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and detract from the overall impact. Reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize the brevity or temporality of an event in a slightly elevated style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even for a spell" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration or extent of an action or state. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even for a spell" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that adds a touch of elegance to describe the short duration or temporary nature of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts and suits neutral to slightly formal registers. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "even temporarily" or "even for a short time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even for a short time

Similar meaning, but uses more common and less idiomatic language.

even for a little while

Uses a more conversational tone, slightly less formal than "even for a spell".

even temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the action, without necessarily implying a short duration.

even for a moment

Emphasizes a very short duration, briefer than "even for a spell".

if only briefly

Highlights the brevity of the occurrence with an element of desire or condition.

if only for an instant

Emphasizes the immediacy and quickness of the action.

even just for a bit

Informal and emphasizes a small amount of time.

even for a season

Implies a slightly longer duration linked to a period of time.

even ephemerally

Suggests something lasting for a very short duration and quickly fading; more formal and less common.

even transiently

Indicates a temporary state that is quickly passing; more formal and less common.

FAQs

What does "even for a spell" mean?

The phrase "even for a spell" means for a short period of time or temporarily. It suggests something happening briefly or not lasting long.

How can I use "even for a spell" in a sentence?

You might say, "I decided to relax, "even for a spell", to reduce my stress levels", indicating you relaxed briefly.

Are there alternatives to saying "even for a spell"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "even temporarily", "even for a moment", or "even for a short time" instead.

Is "even for a spell" formal or informal?

The phrase "even for a spell" leans towards being slightly formal and can add a touch of old-fashioned charm to your writing. It's suitable for narrative or descriptive contexts where you want to emphasize brevity with a bit of elegance.