for a long spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a long spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a prolonged period of time, often in a more poetic or informal context. Example: "She had been living in the countryside for a long spell, enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Silence for a long spell.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Sport

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

The Economist

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

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, Dr. Dean went for a long spell without saying it.

The New York Times

Celtic had led for a long spell in Barcelona two weeks ago, but it eventually lost to the Catalan club.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The nearest like-for-like replacement, if that is the way England feel they must go on a ground that has been Klondike country for Anderson, would probably be Chris Woakes who is back playing for Warwickshire after a long spell out with injury.

The Guardian - Sport

The warning signs were posted for Italy when a long spell of possession ended with Xavi shooting just over - but it was not long before they were ahead.

BBC

Much more so than for Buddhist clergy, Daoist priests and holy men were sought when one prayed for having a son, when one was physically ill, or when there was need for change after a long spell of bad weather and poor harvest.

Wikipedia

That lasted for a distractingly long spell, until Ms. Carey closed the night, a bit abruptly, with a sinus-clearing, room-shattering version of her 1993 hit "Hero," one of her most titanic ballads.

The New York Times - Arts

The Moderates' hopes of interrupting left-wing hegemony for a second long spell are slipping away.This is not entirely Mr Bildt's fault.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a long spell" to add a touch of informality or a slightly literary feel to your writing, particularly when describing events or situations that lasted a noticeable amount of time.

Common error

Avoid using "for a long spell" in highly formal or technical documents. Opt for more precise or conventional alternatives like "for an extended period" or "for a considerable time" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a long spell" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the duration of an action or state. Ludwig examples show it describing periods of time in various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sports

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for a long spell" is a grammatically sound and fairly common phrase that signifies a considerable duration of time. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently encountered in news and sports reporting, adding a touch of informality to the narrative. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "for an extended period" in professional or technical writing. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Remember to consider alternatives such as "for an extended time" or "for a considerable period" to tailor your writing to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an extended time

Replaces "spell" with "time", focusing on the duration aspect.

for a considerable period

Substitutes "long" with "considerable" and "spell" with "period", adding a touch of formality.

for a good while

Uses "good while" instead of "long spell", making it more informal.

for quite some time

Emphasizes the duration using "quite some time".

for a lengthy duration

Replaces "long spell" with "lengthy duration", which is more formal.

over a long period

Changes the structure to emphasize the period itself.

during an extensive period

Similar to "for an extended period" but with slightly more emphasis on the extensiveness.

for a protracted interval

A more formal and less common way to express a long duration.

throughout a long stretch

Focuses on a continuous segment of time.

for years

A simplified version indicating a long but unspecified duration.

FAQs

What does "for a long spell" mean?

The phrase "for a long spell" means for a considerable or extended period. It's used to describe something that lasts a noticeable amount of time.

What are some alternatives to "for a long spell"?

You can use alternatives like "for an extended time", "for a considerable period", or "for a good while" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "for a long spell"?

Yes, "for a long spell" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

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

You can use it like this: "She lived in the countryside "for a long spell", enjoying the peace and quiet."