lengthy spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lengthy spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a prolonged period of time, often in the context of an event or situation lasting longer than expected. Example: "After a lengthy spell of rain, the sun finally broke through the clouds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cameron Graham, 21, had a lengthy spell in hospital in 2014.

The Guardian

It could bring to an end a welcome lengthy spell of falling supermarket prices for shoppers.

The Guardian - Business

Unlike his celebrity partner in crime, Dutt then served a lengthy spell in prison.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Delph saw a specialist yesterday to confirm his worst fears that he is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Independent

When he signed Mauresmo it followed a lengthy spell alone after the more tumultuous departure of Ivan Lendl.

The Guardian - Sport

Those comments, many hostile to the current coach Ottis Gibson, led to his lengthy spell out of the team.

The Guardian - Sport

Dwayne Bravo plays a textbook cover drive, with Anderson starting to look a little tired after a lengthy spell.

The Guardian - Sport

BLUE JAYS 10, ATHLETICS 4 Oakland is too loose a team to fret about the end of a lengthy spell of success.

The New York Times - Sports

Compounding Brisbane's hurt, skipper Tom Rockliff faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after copping a knee to his side midway through the third quarter.

The Guardian - Sport

The Brazilian received treatment for a lengthy spell before being fitted with a neck brace and carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

Independent

Burnley attacked, were, unsurprisingly caught offside and after a lengthy spell of timewasting by Arthur, referee JC Clegg abandoned the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lengthy spell" to describe periods of time that are longer than average or expected, especially when the duration has an impact on the situation or subject.

Common error

Avoid using "lengthy spell" when describing short or insignificant durations; it's best suited for periods that are notably long relative to the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lengthy spell" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to describe the duration of an event or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Sport

33%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lengthy spell" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a prolonged duration of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and sports reporting, it effectively emphasizes the duration of events such as injuries or weather conditions. While primarily neutral in register, its impact lies in quantifying the significance of time elapsed. Related phrases like "extended duration" or "prolonged period" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in formality or emphasis. When writing, using "lengthy spell" appropriately involves ensuring the context warrants a longer-than-average timeframe and avoiding its application to brief durations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended duration

Focuses on the duration aspect, similar to "lengthy spell" but more formal.

prolonged period

Highlights the prolonged nature of the time frame, akin to "lengthy spell".

long stretch

Emphasizes the continuous aspect of the time period, similar to "lengthy spell".

extensive time

Highlights the amount of time involved, comparable to "lengthy spell".

protracted interval

More formal and emphasizes the drawn-out nature of the interval, similar to "lengthy spell".

considerable time

Focuses on the significance of the time duration, akin to "lengthy spell".

extended stint

Similar to "lengthy spell", often used in the context of work or activity.

long phase

Highlights a distinct period with a duration, similar to "lengthy spell".

sustained period

Emphasizes the continuous and maintained nature of the period, alike to "lengthy spell".

appreciable duration

More formal and focuses on the noticeable length of the duration, similar to "lengthy spell".

FAQs

How can I use "lengthy spell" in a sentence?

You can use "lengthy spell" to describe a prolonged period of time, as in, "After a lengthy spell of rain, the sun finally appeared".

What can I say instead of "lengthy spell"?

You can use alternatives like "extended duration", "prolonged period", or "long stretch" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to refer to a "lengthy spell"?

Not necessarily. While it can be used in negative contexts (e.g. "a lengthy spell of unemployment"), it can also be neutral (e.g. "a lengthy spell of good weather") depending on the situation being described.

What is the difference between "lengthy spell" and "short spell"?

"Lengthy spell" refers to a long period of time, while "short spell" refers to a brief period. The choice depends on the duration you want to emphasize.