a prolonged discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prolonged discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion that lasts for an extended period of time, often implying that it is detailed or thorough. Example: "The committee engaged in a prolonged discussion about the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

After a prolonged discussion the players left the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

What I don't want to do is get into a prolonged discussion.

The Guardian

Article 24, the procedure as set forth, is the result of a prolonged discussion and numerous compromises.

Yale University

Eventually the men are ushered over and salaams are exchanged, followed by a prolonged discussion and photographs.

Independent

He won't be at the June 25 meeting of Latin-American Presidents; he is unable to have a prolonged discussion with Chancellor Adenauer who is, here now.

The New Yorker

Nothing enraptures lawmakers in an election year like a prolonged discussion about the needs of school children, an issue that ranks sky high in importance for voters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For the moment, any prolonged discussion about four or five bowlers is limited to the armchair critics.

The Guardian - Sport

The personal is political and that's a good place to start but the past 40 years indicate that women and men, collectively campaigning for affordable, high-quality childcare, a living wage, flexible working, parental and part-time workers' rights, have done more for the family than any prolonged discussion among couples as to whose turn it is to scrub the bath.

The Guardian - Books

We had a very prolonged discussion on this subject.

EU Parlament

Eggers' greatest achievement in this book is that he may be all of those things, and that judging Clay can be a source of prolonged discussion.

Los Angeles Times

After a prolonged, evasive discussion, Frank identifies as authentic a copy of a report, submitted by him to Hitler, describing conditions in the Government General of Poland; this report, Frank avers, contains a series of purposeful exaggerations.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prolonged discussion" to describe situations where a topic is explored in detail over an extended period, often involving multiple viewpoints or complex considerations. This phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a prolonged discussion" when a shorter, more concise exchange would suffice. The phrase implies a significant investment of time and effort, so reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant such a description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prolonged discussion" functions as a noun phrase, where "prolonged" modifies the noun "discussion". Ludwig's examples show it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating a period of extended deliberation or exchange of ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prolonged discussion" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, employed to depict discussions that extend over a significant duration. As suggested by Ludwig, its primary function is to indicate a detailed and lengthy exchange of ideas, often in formal or neutral contexts. It is more frequently encountered in News & Media and academic settings and should be used judiciously, reserving it for situations where the length and depth of the discussion are genuinely noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extended debate

Changes the noun to "debate", implying a more formal and potentially contentious discussion.

a lengthy conversation

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation", suggesting a more informal and casual exchange.

a drawn-out deliberation

Emphasizes the careful and time-consuming nature of the discussion with "deliberation".

a protracted exchange

Uses "exchange" to highlight the back-and-forth nature of the discussion, while "protracted" stresses its length.

a sustained dialogue

Suggests a continuous and ongoing discussion with "sustained dialogue".

a long-lasting negotiation

Implies a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement, emphasizing the duration of the negotiation.

an exhaustive analysis

Shifts the focus to a thorough and comprehensive examination, implying a deep dive into the topic.

a thorough exploration

Emphasizes the comprehensive and in-depth nature of the discussion.

an extensive consultation

Highlights the act of seeking advice and exchanging information over a prolonged period.

a never-ending argument

Emphasizes the potentially negative aspect of a discussion that continues without resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "a prolonged discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "a prolonged discussion" to describe a discussion that has taken place for a long time, such as, "The committee engaged in "a prolonged discussion" about the proposed changes."

What are some alternatives to "a prolonged discussion"?

Alternatives include "an extended debate", "a lengthy conversation", or "a drawn-out deliberation", depending on the context.

Is "a prolonged discussion" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a prolonged discussion" is appropriate for formal and neutral writing contexts. It accurately describes a detailed and lengthy exchange of ideas.

What distinguishes "a prolonged discussion" from a simple "discussion"?

"A prolonged discussion" specifically indicates that the discussion lasted for an extended period and was likely in-depth. A simple "discussion" doesn't necessarily imply the same duration or level of detail.