spell of sunshine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spell of sunshine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time characterized by bright, sunny weather or a feeling of happiness and positivity. Example: "After weeks of rain, we finally enjoyed a lovely spell of sunshine that lifted everyone's spirits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

According to Jonathan's theory, a long spell of sunshine would make Ireland a nation of lazy, sleepy, hedonistic Sancho Panzas rather than a rising mass of raging rebellious Ches.

The Guardian

Lows of -8C (17.6followedwed a bright and crisp spell of sunshine on Tuesday, but heavy snowfall of 17cms (6.7ins) closed 42 schools in Norfolk and led to a spate of traffic accidents.

The Guardian

Photograph: Murdo Macleod A spell of sunshine provides the perfect opportunity to make good use of the Guardian's deckchairs, embellished with quotes from our favourite books and dotted around the festival site: People enjoying the sunshine at the 2013 Edinburgh book festival.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Once the showery rain passes through there will be a few spells of sunshine breaking through," Griffiths said.

The Guardian

"For much of the rest of England and Wales it's a different picture, we'll see dry weather and some decent spells of sunshine.

Independent

This weekend's weather is a real contrast from the warm temperatures and long spells of sunshine enjoyed across Britain earlier this week.

The Guardian

"There will be some cloud around first thing, but this should break up with spells of sunshine in the afternoon and early evening," Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey told The Independent.

Independent

An unseasonal cold weather front is due to sweep in to the capital from Friday, threatening to usher in icy Arctic showers in place of the recent spells of sunshine.

The Guardian

The Camerons could be allowed to shed their coats on Sunday when a largely dry day with spells of sunshine is forecast.

BBC

On Thursday there was a spell of bright sunshine, but it was actually raining at the same time.

The Guardian

He couldn't wait to try it out and, thankfully, the rain stopped and a pleasant enough day developed with even a spell of pale sunshine.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spell of sunshine" to describe a relatively short duration of sunny weather, often following a period of less favorable conditions. For metaphorical use, consider the context: it can also represent a brief period of happiness or success.

Common error

Avoid using "spell of sunshine" to describe extremely long periods of continuous sunshine. "Spell" implies a limited, noticeable duration, not an entire season.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spell of sunshine" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a period of time characterized by sunny weather. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spell of sunshine" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a short period of sunny weather or, metaphorically, a brief moment of happiness. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for broad communication. While "period of sunshine" offers a direct alternative, other related phrases like ""ray of sunshine"" can convey similar positive sentiments. Be mindful of the word "spell", as it represents a noticeable but temporary duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period of sunshine

Replaces "spell" with "period", focusing on a duration of sunny weather.

patch of sunshine

Substitutes "spell" with "patch", suggesting a limited area or time of sun.

bout of sunshine

Employs "bout" in place of "spell", indicating a short period of sun.

burst of sunshine

Uses "burst" instead of "spell", emphasizing a sudden, brief appearance of sun.

sunny interval

Similar to "sunny interlude", suggesting a temporary break with sunshine.

time of sunshine

A more general term, uses "time" instead of "spell", denoting any duration with sunshine.

sunny interlude

Replaces the whole phrase with two words, capturing the sense of a break in bad weather.

ray of sunshine

Shifts from a time period to a metaphorical source of happiness or positivity, but still related to sunshine.

sunlit moment

Highlights a single moment illuminated by sunshine, rather than a longer period.

sun-drenched period

Focuses on the intensity of the sunshine, using "sun-drenched" to describe the duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "spell of sunshine" to describe a short period of sunny weather, for example: "After days of rain, we finally had a "spell of sunshine"."

What's a more metaphorical use of "spell of sunshine"?

Metaphorically, a "spell of sunshine" can refer to a brief period of happiness or good fortune. For example: "Her visit was a "ray of sunshine" during a difficult time."

Is it appropriate to use "spell of sunshine" to describe a whole summer?

No, "spell" implies a relatively short duration. For a long period, consider using phrases like "period of sunshine" or "season of warmth".

What can I say instead of "spell of sunshine" to describe positive feelings?

You could use ""ray of sunshine"", "moment of joy", or "bright spot" depending on the specific context you want to convey.