rough spell

USAGE SUMMARY

'rough spell' is not correct and usable in written English.
You could use the phrase 'rough patch' instead, which means a difficult or challenging period of time. For example: "I'm going through a rough patch right now, but I'm sure it will pass soon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Fame in Failing It has been a rough spell for N.H.L. goalies.

The New York Times

Russian jets have had a rough spell recently, making the sales pitch even more difficult.

The New York Times

Oracle has been going through a rough spell in the last few years.

The New York Times - Books

After a rough spell, the Englishman heads to St Andrews in fine spirits.

The Guardian - Sport

"When you're in a rough spell, that's something that the team needs.

The Guardian - Sport

Russian jets have had a rough spell recently, making the sales pitch for the Sukhoi Superjet even more difficult.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Relations between the United States and Turkey, which have been NATO allies since 1952, have been through their roughest spell in years.

The New York Times

The other is to spell out rough principles and let auditors decide how to apply them.

The Economist

Villagers discovered the unexpected catch on the banks of Lake Doirani, on the Greek border with Macedonia, after a spell of rough weather.

The New York Times

Benjamin Clementine's tumultuous back story (a strict Christian childhood in London, a spell living rough in Paris and busking on the Métro, and then a return to the UK) has given him plenty of fascinating source material from which to craft his songs.

The Guardian - Music

It's something of a fairy tale, in other words, but one that casts its spell with a rough, raw and sometimes thrillingly ugly magic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "rough spell" is understandable, prioritize using established phrases like "rough patch" or "difficult period" for clearer communication and credibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming "rough spell" is interchangeable with "rough patch". Although similar in intent, "rough patch" is the grammatically correct and widely accepted choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase acts as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a period marked by difficulties. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase isn't quite right. The examples show various contexts, but the phrase itself requires adjustment for better grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Sport

24%

Books

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "rough spell" appears relatively frequently in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The phrase attempts to describe a challenging period, often found in news and media and sports reporting. For improved clarity and grammatical precision, consider using established alternatives such as "rough patch", "difficult period", or "tough time". Using these alternatives will enhance the credibility and professionalism of your writing, particularly in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult period

This alternative uses more direct and commonly accepted terms to describe a challenging time.

challenging phase

Replaces "rough" with "challenging" and "spell" with "phase", maintaining the sense of a temporary difficulty.

tough time

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning, suitable for informal contexts.

hard patch

Substitutes "spell" with "patch," a common idiom for a period of difficulty.

rocky period

Employs a different metaphor to describe instability and difficulty.

troubled times

Broadens the scope to suggest more widespread or general difficulties.

period of adversity

More formal and emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation.

time of hardship

Highlights the difficulties and suffering experienced during the period.

unfavorable circumstances

Focuses on the external conditions contributing to the difficulty.

setback

Refers to a specific event or obstacle that caused a temporary reversal.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate way to say "rough spell"?

While "rough spell" is understandable, consider using phrases like "rough patch", "difficult period", or "tough time" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "rough spell" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "rough spell" is not correct and usable in written English. It's better to use alternatives that are grammatically sound and widely accepted.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "rough spell"?

The phrase "rough spell" is often found in news and media, and sports contexts to describe a challenging or unfavorable time for an individual, team, or organization. However, consider using more standard alternatives for formal writing.

How does "rough spell" differ from "rough patch"?

While both phrases convey a period of difficulty, "rough patch" is an idiomatic expression more commonly accepted and considered grammatically correct. Therefore, it's generally preferred over "rough spell".