a long drawn out process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long drawn out process" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means a process or procedure that is taking a very long time and is often tedious or complicated. Example: The approval and implementation of the new policy was a long drawn out process, involving months of meetings and debates among various stakeholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This has been a long, drawn out process for both of them and we are most unhappy that it has ended with such a significant suspension.

The Guardian - Sport

Anneliese Burgess, a spokesperson for the Pistorius family, said the trial had been a "long, drawn out process" and considered the case over.

The Guardian

So the A-Rod show will be a long, drawn out process that should have plenty of twists and turns, which we are used to seeing with A-Rod.

The Guardian - Sport

Birmingham are stepping up their bid to try to keep hold of Bruce's assistant Eric Black while they look for a managerial replacement but it could be a long drawn out process as prospective new owner Carson Yeung has to approve any potential candidates - and there is increasing concern that he will be unable to raise the funds to take full control of City.

The Guardian - Sport

But a long, drawn out process involving two recalls is enough to sour anyone's feelings toward a device.

TechCrunch

"It's been a long drawn out process and it has cost £5,000 to try and get him well.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was a long drawn-out process to find out, which I've done persistently ever since".

The Guardian - Books

This does not have to be a long drawn-out process.

The Guardian

"I had to get the customers to trust me, and it was a long drawn-out process".

The New York Times

It may be a long drawn-out process involving sending samples and perhaps travelling to meetings but in our experience, definitely worthwhile.

The Guardian

He also predicted that economic recovery would be "a long drawn-out process", since Britain had not been through an economic restructuring.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "a long drawn out process", follow up with specific details about what makes it so lengthy or complex to provide a clearer understanding for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a long drawn out process" as a generic complaint without providing context. Instead, offer specific reasons why the process is taking longer than expected or is more complicated than necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long drawn out process" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of process characterized by its extended duration and complexity. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long drawn out process" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a tedious, lengthy procedure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. While often used to express frustration, it can neutrally describe a process's extended duration. When using this phrase, provide specific details to justify its application and avoid generic complaints. Alternatives like "a lengthy process" or "a protracted process" offer more formal options, while phrases like "an uphill battle" emphasize difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy process

Replaces "long drawn out" with "lengthy", emphasizing the extended duration.

a protracted process

Replaces "long drawn out" with "protracted", highlighting the extended duration and potential for contention.

a prolonged procedure

Substitutes "process" with "procedure", and "long drawn out" with "prolonged", focusing on the method's extended nature.

a tedious undertaking

Shifts from "process" to "undertaking" and uses "tedious" to emphasize the boring and tiresome nature of the process.

a time-consuming affair

Replaces "process" with "affair", highlighting the amount of time it requires.

a cumbersome procedure

Emphasizes the complicated and inefficient nature using "cumbersome" instead of focusing on duration.

a never-ending story

An idiomatic expression suggesting the process feels like it will not conclude.

a labyrinthine endeavor

Highlights the complex and confusing nature of the process using "labyrinthine".

a grinding ordeal

Focuses on the difficult and unpleasant aspects of a prolonged experience.

an uphill battle

Uses a metaphor to describe a process that is difficult and requires a lot of effort to complete.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long drawn out process" to describe any activity or procedure that takes an excessive amount of time and is often tedious. For example, "The legal battle turned into "a long drawn out process", exhausting all parties involved."

What's a more formal alternative to "a long drawn out process"?

A more formal alternative could be "a protracted procedure" or "a lengthy process", which maintain a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a long drawn out process" in a positive context?

Generally, "a long drawn out process" has negative connotations. However, you might use it neutrally when simply stating a fact, even if the process's length has benefits. For example, "The maturation of the whiskey is "a long drawn out process" that results in a unique flavor profile."

What phrases are similar to "a long drawn out process" that emphasize difficulty instead of duration?

If you want to emphasize the difficulty, consider using phrases like "an uphill battle" or "a grinding ordeal". These highlight the challenging nature rather than just the length.