spell of absence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell of absence" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used to describe a temporary period during which someone is absent from a place or situation, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "After a long spell of absence, she finally returned to her hometown."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sickness benefits were paid by the SSIS if a spell of absence exceeded 14 days.

European Journal of Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

D'Angelo is no stranger to spells of absence from the spotlight; since starting out in the early 90s, the "prince of soul" has only released two albums, with a 5-year gap between 1995's Brown Sugar and the follow-up, Voodoo.

The Guardian - Music

If women have no right to take time off, or are entitled only to short or poorly paid spells of absence, many have little choice but to leave the workforce when their baby is born.

The Economist

Spells of absence from work are not frequent in individual employment histories and are often short; for example, in the case of unemployment.

Journal for Labour Market Research

Older workers are associated with fewer but longer spells of absence, while younger workers tend to be absent more frequently (Thomson et al. 2000 Alavinia et al. 2009).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Altogether, there were 3214 such spells of absence, with a median length of 16 days.

British Medical Journal

Table 3 presents associations between medically certified spells of absence and cause-specific mortality.

British Medical Journal

Table 2 shows the associations of these spells of absence with subsequent mortality, (adjusted for age, sex, and employment grade).

British Medical Journal

Employees taking one or more medically certified spells of absence (>7 days) for the common diagnostic categories had increased mortality compared with colleagues taking no medically certified absence.

British Medical Journal

We used Cox's proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios for having taken one or more spells of absence for each sickness absence diagnostic category.

British Medical Journal

62% of dentists reported at least one musculoskeletal complaint, 30% chronic complaints, 16% had spells of absence and, 32% sought medical care.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spell of absence", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason and duration of the absence. Consider using more common alternatives like "leave of absence" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "spell of absence" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less professional than alternatives like "period of leave" or "extended absence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spell of absence" functions as a noun phrase, typically indicating a period or duration of being away from a place or activity. It describes the length of time someone is not present. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase isn't frequently employed in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spell of absence" refers to a period of being away, with usage observed in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig AI notes that it is not very common in contemporary English. While grammatically correct, it is advisable to consider alternatives such as ""period of absence"" or ""leave of absence"" for increased clarity and formality, especially in professional settings. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for various communicative purposes, though less frequent in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period of leave

Focuses on authorized time away, often from work.

time off

A more general term for absence, without specifying cause.

leave of absence

Formal absence, usually with permission and a defined duration.

absence from duty

Highlights absence from assigned responsibilities.

period of non-attendance

Emphasizes the lack of presence at a scheduled event or location.

extended absence

Highlights that the absence is longer than usual.

temporary leave

Focuses on the finite nature of the absence.

hiatus

Implies a pause or interruption in activity.

time away

A simple and direct way to refer to absence.

interim

Suggests a temporary period of being away, possibly for specific reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "spell of absence" in a sentence?

You can use "spell of absence" to describe a period when someone is away, as in "After a long spell of absence, she returned to work".

What are some alternatives to "spell of absence"?

Consider using alternatives like "period of absence", "leave of absence", or "time off" depending on the context.

Is "spell of absence" formal or informal?

"Spell of absence" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal tone, but it might be less common than alternatives in strictly formal settings. Consider your audience and the specific context.

What's the difference between "spell of absence" and "leave of absence"?

"Leave of absence" typically implies an officially approved period away, often from work. "Spell of absence" is a more general term that can refer to any period of being away, whether or not it's formally authorized.