a considerable drag

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable drag" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a significant hindrance or obstacle, often in a negative context. Example: "The new regulations have been a considerable drag on our productivity, making it difficult to meet our deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mark McKechnie, an industry analyst with American Technology Research, said the lawsuit and Nokia's refusal to pay royalties had been a considerable drag on Qualcomm's stock.

The New York Times - Tech

Unless this bill comes down meaningfully in the coming years, or "network" related revenues increase, it remains a considerable drag on group returns, and thus valuation.

The Guardian - Business

The broadcaster had been desperately seeking to sell-off the business, which has been bound by a loss-making contract with the Vue chain, because it has been a considerable drag on the company's financial performance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The new package slows the cars by up to 10 miles an hour and adds considerable drag.

The New York Times - Sports

As air rushes into the low-pressure immediately behind the trailer — an aerodynamic effect that can be felt as a distinct pull in a closely following car — the swirling flow generates considerable drag.

The New York Times

As a result the increasing viscosity produces the considerable drag to the motion of the liquid film and it opposes the film thinning process.

International Nano Letters

5. Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use as they cause considerable drag.

The Guardian

The underbody flow that passes through the underside of heavy vehicles induces considerable drag while interacting with rolling wheels and other structures.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The use of spikes in the design of hypersonic vehicles yields a considerable reduction in drag and aerodynamic heating.

Aerospace Science and Technology

The optimum design showed a considerable lift-to-drag ratio improvement compared to the reference design.

Journal of Biomechanics

He told reporters: "We think she was dragged along the road a considerable distance; it is believed she was dragged 10 to 20 metres and passed under the vehicle".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a considerable drag", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered or slowed down. Be specific about the affected area or process to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable drag" without specifying what it's affecting. Saying "the project faced a considerable drag" is vague; instead, clarify with "the project faced a considerable drag on its timeline due to unforeseen delays."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable drag" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object. It identifies something as a significant impediment or burden, as shown in Ludwig's examples where it describes impacts on stock performance or financial results.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable drag" is a phrase used to describe something that significantly hinders progress or efficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for expressing negative impacts across various contexts, as the examples show, especially in news, scientific and formal business publications. While relatively infrequent, it provides a clear and moderately formal way to convey that something is acting as a burden or impediment. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like ""a significant burden"" or ""a substantial hindrance"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant burden

Replaces "drag" with "burden", emphasizing the weight or responsibility aspect.

a major impediment

Substitutes "drag" with "impediment", highlighting the obstruction aspect.

a substantial hindrance

Uses "hindrance" instead of "drag", focusing on the act of preventing or delaying.

a notable setback

Replaces the whole expression with "setback", emphasizing the delay in progress.

a weighty encumbrance

Employs more formal vocabulary, indicating a heavy burden or obstacle.

a serious constraint

Focuses on the limiting aspect, where something restricts freedom of action.

a heavy load

Similar to "significant burden", but with a more physical connotation.

a severe drawback

Highlights the disadvantageous aspect of something.

a great liability

Focuses on the disadvantage or debt caused by something.

a crippling influence

Emphasizes the disabling or severely limiting effect.

FAQs

What does "a considerable drag" mean?

It means something is significantly slowing down or hindering progress. It implies a substantial negative impact on efficiency or speed.

What can I say instead of "a considerable drag"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant burden", "a major impediment", or "a substantial hindrance" depending on the context.

How do I use "a considerable drag" in a sentence?

Use it to describe something that is negatively impacting progress or efficiency. For example, "The new regulations have been a considerable drag on our productivity."

Is "a considerable drag" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While understandable in most contexts, more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "a substantial hindrance" or "a major impediment".