a more protracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more protracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is extended in duration or length, often in a context where a comparison is being made. Example: "The negotiations turned out to be a more protracted process than we initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is currently undergoing a more protracted, though more agreeable test of his staying power.

The New Yorker

And, semi-paralysis in the caja sector means less credit and a more protracted recovery for all.

The Economist

Preliminary data may suggest a more protracted recovery from concussion in high school athletes.

The Journal of Pediatrics

It is likely that a more protracted recovery from complicated SREs such as non-vertebral fracture or bone surgery will require significant outpatient care.

European Journal of Health Economics

It is possible that a more protracted session, or a series of multiple sessions delivered over several days, would be required to impact upon behavioural responding.

BMC Psychiatry

Regardless of whether an individual displays classical pertussis signs and symptoms or a more protracted, atypical cough, pertussis may not be suspected because of the misconception among many physicians that pertussis is a childhood disease [ 8, 17].

European Journal of Pediatrics

A more protracted regimen may also be attractive for the treatment of acute leukaemia, since TMZ may have some activity in this pathology as well (Seiter et al, 2001).

British Journal of Cancer

We found that in both groups treatment response was highly variable, with some patients rapidly returning to pre-relapse symptom severity levels, and others having a more protracted recovery.

BMC Psychiatry

These emergencies can be sudden or of a more protracted with a longer term effect as it currently being seen in Somalia and Syria, both of which are seeing ongoing insecurity, continued displacement of people, and lack of sound governance impacting the population's health and wellbeing.

Conflict and Health

This shorter schedule with more frequent QL assessments revealed a time by treatment interaction sensitive to the duration of treatment: patients receiving DI-EC showed worse QL scores during the time of chemotherapy but a faster recovery following the shorter duration of treatment, while patients receiving SD-CT showed a less pronounced worsening but a more protracted recovery.

British Journal of Cancer

Hooker required a more protracted rebuilding of his confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a more protracted", ensure you're comparing it to something shorter or less prolonged to highlight the contrast effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "a more protracted" when simply indicating something is long. It implies a comparison, so ensure there's a shorter alternative, either stated or implied, for the phrase to be grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more protracted" functions as a comparative adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that something lasts longer than a typical or expected duration. Ludwig shows examples in contexts like "a more protracted recovery" or "a more protracted stalemate."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a more protracted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative adjective phrase that emphasizes an extended duration, often implying it is longer than expected. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across academic, scientific, and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "a more protracted", ensure a comparison is either explicitly stated or implicitly understood, and be mindful of its nuance in suggesting an undesirably extended duration. Alternatives such as "a longer" or "a more extended" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a longer

Directly substitutes "protracted" with "longer", focusing on the increased duration.

a more extended

Replaces "protracted" with "extended", emphasizing the stretched-out nature of something.

a lengthier

Uses "lengthier" to indicate a greater length in time, similar to protracted.

a more prolonged

Substitutes "protracted" with "prolonged", highlighting the continuation of something over time.

a drawn-out

Uses "drawn-out" to describe something that lasts longer than expected or desired.

a more sustained

Replaces "protracted" with "sustained", focusing on the continuous nature of the process.

a more lingering

Uses "lingering" to suggest something that remains or persists for a longer period.

a more enduring

Replaces "protracted" with "enduring", focusing on the ability to last or withstand over time.

a more chronic

Implies a long-lasting or recurring nature, particularly in the context of illness or problems.

a more stretched-out

Uses "stretched-out" to emphasize the extended or elongated nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a more protracted" in a sentence?

Use "a more protracted" to describe something that takes longer or is more extended than something else. For example, "The recovery was "a more protracted" process than anticipated".

What is a synonym for "a more protracted"?

Synonyms include "a longer", "a more extended", or "a more prolonged".

Is it correct to say "a protracted" without "more"?

Yes, "protracted" can be used alone, but "a more protracted" implies a comparison. "Protracted" simply means extended in time.

What's the difference between "a more protracted" and "a longer"?

While both indicate extended duration, "a more protracted" often suggests a process that is unnecessarily or unexpectedly long, while "a longer" is a more neutral comparison of duration.