a drawn-out process

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

With hindsight, I ask, did the project benefit from such a drawn-out process?

The Guardian - Film

There is a case for that: Mr Barak, unlike Mr Netanyahu, would be negotiating in good faith, and experience shows that a drawn-out process invites trouble.

The Economist

Officials said the results could take two to three weeks to be tallied, because retrieving and counting ballots would be a drawn-out process.

The New York Times

The Universal Music Group has made the last of the divestitures ordered by European regulators as part of its $1.9 billion purchase of EMI's recorded music division, closing a drawn-out process but significantly lowering Universal's cost in the deal.

The New York Times

If Johnson, who missed 14 of the last 22 regular-season games and the playoffs because of chronic back pain, were to retire, it would be a drawn-out process.

The New York Times - Sports

Listing, selling or buying a used car online can be a drawn-out process.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But, be warned, getting to the festival site can be quite a drawn out process.

The Guardian - Music

If parliament chooses a different course from that recommended, we will need very good reasons for doing so … Killing the Leveson report by a drawn out process would be an equal, if not greater, abdication of responsibility as an unreasonable rejection of its key recommendations".

The Guardian

I suppose I'm positing the death of Microsoft, which is going to be a drawn out process if it happens at all.

TechCrunch

"This won't be a drawn out process; I have started work today and will present what I hope will be unifying recommendations on 30th November".

BBC

However, Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant told HuffPost that the 2012 hopeful's timetable does not envision a drawn out process.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drawn-out process" when you want to emphasize that something is taking longer than expected or desired. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the length is burdensome or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a drawn-out process" when describing positive or neutral situations where the length is a natural or accepted part of the activity. Consider alternatives like "extended" or "lengthy" for more neutral descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drawn-out process" functions as a noun phrase, where "drawn-out" is an adjective modifying the noun "process". Ludwig indicates that this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drawn-out process" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe activities or events that take longer than expected. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is generally neutral in tone, but it can often carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that the duration is burdensome or unnecessary. It appears frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, and less commonly in more informal contexts. Remember to consider the context when using this phrase to avoid unintended negative implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prolonged procedure

Emphasizes the length of the procedure itself.

a lengthy endeavor

Focuses on the substantial time and effort invested in the activity.

an extended undertaking

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the task and its duration.

a time-consuming activity

Directly points out the significant amount of time required.

a protracted affair

Implies a complex and often troublesome situation taking a long time.

a marathon task

Draws a parallel to a marathon, emphasizing endurance and prolonged effort.

a long and arduous process

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in the long process.

a creeping development

Suggests a slow and gradual evolution of events.

a never-ending saga

Suggests the process is tiresome and seemingly without resolution.

a snail-paced operation

Uses a simile to emphasize the slowness of the procedure.

FAQs

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

You can use "a drawn-out process" to describe any activity or series of events that takes a considerable amount of time, often more than expected. For example: "Negotiations became "a drawn-out process" due to numerous disagreements".

What's the difference between "a drawn-out process" and "a lengthy process"?

"A lengthy process" simply indicates that something takes a significant amount of time. "A drawn-out process", on the other hand, often implies that the duration is excessive, tedious, or unnecessarily prolonged.

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

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

Is it always negative to describe something as "a drawn-out process"?

While "a drawn-out process" often carries a negative connotation suggesting unnecessary delay, it can sometimes be used neutrally to simply describe something that naturally takes a long time, without necessarily implying criticism.