spell of misfortune

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell of misfortune" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of bad luck or unfortunate events affecting someone or something. Example: "After a long spell of misfortune, she finally found a job that suited her skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since then, they've lost more games than they've won, and seem to have been hit with a lingering spell of misfortune.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And while many have made that extra effort to get through the white-out, some have taken advantage of cold spell and misfortune of others.

BBC

Stock's was a sad story of pluck in the face of misfortune, but to conclude a Boston area tour on an upbeat note, one has only to return to the Springfield Museum and stay a spell in the permanent gallery devoted to the painter Erastus Salisbury Field (1805-1900).

The New York Times - Arts

This possession can transpire through either simple misfortune or the malevolent spell of a katsune-tsukai (a sorcerer with foxes at his command); either way, the possessed displays a range of symptoms, which can be simple (a sudden aversion to eye contact) or complex (periodic verbal dialogues between the fox and the human).

Vice

Joseph Brodsky and the fortunes of misfortune.

The New Yorker

There is some fortune in Haiti's history of misfortune.

The New York Times

Mentions de Vicenzo's sportsmanship in his hour of misfortune.

The New Yorker

This is Beslan.The usual clichés of misfortune are too feeble.

The Economist

The ring was bought to counter a run of misfortune.

The New York Times - Style

It's been a litany of misfortune and near misses.

The Guardian - Sport

You can point to the small pieces of misfortune.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider varying your language to avoid overuse. While "spell of misfortune" is acceptable, synonyms like "period of adversity" or "bout of bad luck" can add nuance and prevent repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "spell of misfortune" to describe ongoing, chronic issues. This phrase implies a temporary state, so it's inappropriate for situations of long-term or permanent disadvantage. Instead, use terms that reflect the enduring nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spell of misfortune" primarily functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a period characterized by bad luck or adverse circumstances. Its grammatical role is to act as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing a specific temporal segment marked by negative events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spell of misfortune" is a noun phrase used to describe a period marked by bad luck or adverse circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to convey that someone or something has experienced a stretch of ill fortune. While relatively rare, this phrase is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in descriptive or narrative writing. Common alternatives include "bout of bad luck" or "period of adversity". When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a temporary state and avoid using it for chronic, long-term issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bout of bad luck

Replaces "spell" with "bout", implying a short period of bad luck.

period of adversity

Substitutes "misfortune" with "adversity", focusing on the challenging nature of the situation.

time of hardship

Replaces "misfortune" with "hardship", emphasizing the difficult conditions experienced.

streak of bad luck

Uses "streak" instead of "spell", suggesting a continuous run of unfortunate events.

run of ill fortune

Employs "ill fortune" as a more formal substitute for "misfortune".

wave of misfortune

Replaces "spell" with "wave", suggesting a sudden and overwhelming series of unfortunate events.

patch of bad luck

Uses "patch" instead of "spell", implying a limited and temporary period of misfortune.

misfortune's embrace

Presents misfortune in a more poetic or figurative way, personifying it as an unwelcome embrace.

series of unfortunate events

Offers a more descriptive and literal alternative, detailing multiple instances of bad luck.

unlucky phase

Replaces "spell of misfortune" with an "unlucky phase", meaning the situation is limited in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "spell of misfortune" to describe a period of bad luck or unfortunate events affecting someone or something. For example: "After a long "spell of misfortune", she finally found a job that suited her skills."

What are some alternatives to saying "spell of misfortune"?

You can use alternatives like "bout of bad luck", "period of adversity", or "time of hardship" depending on the specific context.

Is "spell of misfortune" a formal or informal phrase?

"Spell of misfortune" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for descriptive or narrative writing rather than highly technical or business-oriented communications. Consider the audience and purpose when choosing this phrase.

What is the difference between a "spell of misfortune" and a "series of unfortunate events"?

While both phrases describe bad luck, ""spell of misfortune"" implies a period or duration of general bad luck, whereas "series of unfortunate events" emphasizes specific incidents occurring one after another.