a drawn-out procedure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drawn-out procedure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or procedure that takes a long time to complete, often longer than expected or desired. Example: "The approval process for the project turned out to be a drawn-out procedure, causing delays in our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bread wasn't hard either; it was just a drawn-out procedure.

The New York Times

Mr. Wahid has already been censured twice by Parliament as part of a drawn-out procedure for removal from office.

The New York Times

The party's resistance to European Union membership has translated into an insistence on a drawn-out procedure that would have Icelanders approve any entry application in a referendum first, and then have a second referendum on entry terms agreed on with Brussels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This drawn-out procedure is sure to become a source of continual disruption throughout this year's election campaigns, and it violates accepted notions of fair play.

The New York Times

Mr Bashir merrily visited Djibouti, an ICC member, earlier this month.The ICC's big weakness, apart from its astronomical cost and drawn-out procedures, is its dependence on others to help arrest suspects.

The Economist

However, this will be a drawn out affair.

Forbes

This is like a drawn out role playing game almost.

WikiHow

Greece has lagged behind Spain and Italy in developing photovoltaic installations in spite of offering subsidies for renewables investments, because of long drawn-out licensing procedures.

TechCrunch

Having met Rachel I felt that trying to test the children when they all got to say for example 10 or 12 was going to be a very drawn out prolonged procedure on top of what had been an extremely traumatic time for the family.

BBC

Political fulfillment of the revolution — the democratic election of a leader for the country — has been pushed further and further away, by red tape, by procedure, by drawn-out negotiations with fragmented political players and parties.

The New Yorker

A 10-ml sample of venous blood was drawn from each participant, and DNA was isolated with a salting-out procedure [ 23].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a drawn-out procedure", ensure the context clearly indicates the process's extended duration and potential negative impact, such as delays or frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "a drawn-out procedure" excessively in formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, consider more concise alternatives like "lengthy process" or "extended procedure" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drawn-out procedure" functions as a noun phrase, where "drawn-out" acts as a compound adjective modifying the noun "procedure". This phrase typically describes a process or set of actions that extends for a considerable duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drawn-out procedure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe processes of extended duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in written English and signifies a process that is longer than desired. While commonly found in news and general contexts, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "lengthy procedure" in scientific or business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the process's duration and potential impact. The frequency is considered as common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prolonged process

Focuses on the extended duration of the process.

a lengthy procedure

Emphasizes the considerable length of the procedure.

an extended process

Highlights the stretched-out nature of the process.

a protracted procedure

Implies a procedure that has been unnecessarily lengthened.

a time-consuming process

Focuses on the amount of time the process requires.

a tedious procedure

Highlights the boring and monotonous nature of the procedure.

a cumbersome process

Emphasizes the difficulty and complexity of the process.

a labyrinthine procedure

Suggests a complex and confusing process with many steps.

a tortuous process

Implies a difficult and painful process.

a Byzantine procedure

Highlights the overly complicated and bureaucratic nature of the procedure.

FAQs

What does "a drawn-out procedure" mean?

The phrase "a drawn-out procedure" refers to a process or procedure that takes a long time, often longer than expected or desired, potentially causing delays or frustration.

What can I say instead of "a drawn-out procedure"?

You can use alternatives like "a prolonged process", "a lengthy procedure", or "an extended process" depending on the context.

Is "a drawn-out procedure" formal or informal?

The phrase "a drawn-out procedure" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a lengthy procedure" for a more professional sound.

How can I use "a drawn-out procedure" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any process that is taking longer than expected. For example: "The approval process for the project turned out to be "a drawn-out procedure", causing delays in our timeline."