spell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of writing or naming the letters of a word in the correct order. Example: "Can you spell your name for me, please?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour's future depends on winning more in the south, where 43% now think it deserves another spell in power.

The Guardian

Stuart McCall, who played for the Bantams in those Premier League seasons and had a spell as their permanent manager from 2007 to 2010 after a caretaker stint in 2000, says: "The Chelsea game will go down as the best result regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

He grew up a Thistle supporter and served both Highland League sides with distinction – with a spell at Celtic in between – before taking the natural step to Caley Thistle.

The Guardian - Sport

George's parents never actually spell out that they think he's gay (it's even hinted at one point they think he's got HIV) but the old cliches/truths of self-loathing, estrangement and awkward acceptance are lovingly played out within their cosy suburbia.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A sustained spell of Czech possession ends with Plasil having a pop from 25 yards out.

The Guardian - Sport

Gillespie speaks in glowing terms of Farbrace, a 46-year-old who has previously worked with the England women's and Under-19s teams, and had a previous spell with Sri Lanka as assistant to the Australian Trevor Bayliss from 2007-09.

The Guardian - Sport

Their recommendation that this new legal framework must be based on an explicit avowal of intrusive surveillance capabilities and spell out authorisation procedures, privacy constraints, transparence requirements, targeting criteria and the rest is also significant.

The Guardian

Vernon Philander hasn't played much cricket recently, but he is a class act these days and Kent's fans will have enjoyed his spell of 3 – 1 – 8 – 4 in a Duckworth-Lewis defeat by Middlesex.

The Guardian - Sport

This has been an exasperating spell for United, who were held to that 3-3 drat at Goodison despite holding a 3-1 lead until stoppage time.

The Guardian - Sport

The late onslaught was the only spell in the entire match when Watford had attacked with any real momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet their failure to take one of those chances might have been costly if Speroni had not saved bravely at Troy Deeney's feet two minutes into the first spell of extra time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spell" to mean 'indicate a future outcome', ensure the context clearly suggests a prediction or foreshadowing. For example: "These economic indicators spell a recession."

Common error

Remember that "spell out" is a transitive phrasal verb, requiring a direct object. Avoid using it intransitively. Correct: "The teacher spelled out the rules." Incorrect: "The teacher spelled out."

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "spell" is as a verb, referring to the act of forming a word with letters, indicating a future outcome, or relieving someone. It can also function as a noun, referring to a period of time or a magical incantation. Ludwig AI confirms its multifaceted nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "spell" is a versatile term functioning both as a verb and a noun, with multiple meanings ranging from forming words to indicating future outcomes. It enjoys a very common usage across various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. As Ludwig AI highlights, "spell" maintains grammatical correctness. To ensure clarity, be mindful of the specific meaning you intend to convey, and use the phrase in a contextually appropriate manner. Understanding the transitive nature of the phrasal verb "spell out" is also crucial for avoiding grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

write out

Focuses specifically on the act of writing the letters of a word.

enunciate the letters of

Emphasizes a clear and distinct pronunciation of each letter.

indicate

Emphasizes that something serves as a sign or signal of something else.

signify

Highlights the meaning or importance of something.

entail

Focuses on what something necessarily involves or includes.

amount to

Emphasizes the total or overall result of something.

take over for

Focuses on replacing someone temporarily.

fill in for

Emphasizes substituting for someone who is absent.

replace

Highlights the act of substituting one thing or person for another.

substitute

Focuses on providing something or someone as a temporary replacement.

FAQs

How can I use "spell" in a sentence?

You can use "spell" in sentences like: "Can you spell your name?", "The dark clouds spell rain", or "I'll spell him at the helm".

What does it mean to "spell something out"?

To "spell something out" means to explain something in a very clear and detailed way, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Which is correct, "spell" or "spelt"?

"Spell" and "spelt" are both valid past tense and past participle forms of the verb "spell", although "spelled" is more common in American English, while "spelt" is more common in British English.

What can I say instead of "this spells trouble"?

Instead of "this spells trouble", you can use phrases like "this indicates trouble", "this suggests trouble", or "this means trouble".