a protracted interruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a protracted interruption" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lengthy or extended pause or break in an activity or process. Example: "The meeting was delayed due to a protracted interruption caused by technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A protracted interruption in the way Hollywood does business could lead to projects stalling and consumers seeing fewer options in their viewing choices.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Exactly how could America be subjected to a protracted oil interruption, that is, a 10percentt shortfall lasting longer than several weeks?

Huffington Post

Suppression hearings in these circumstances would result in protracted interruption of grand jury proceedings.

Cornell University

The first administration was matched to an induction treatment of octreotide (0.1 mg subcutaneous every 8 h) for 14 days; 5FU was given as a protracted continuous infusion without interruption at a daily dose of 200 mg/m2 of body-surface area through an elastomeric pump connected to a central venous access.

BMC Cancer

A protracted silence.

The New York Times - Magazine

A protracted legal wrangle ensued.

The Economist

Report of a protracted meeting.

Cornell University

What followed was a protracted negotiation.

The New York Times - Health

Plans for a protracted meeting in October.

Cornell University

"It was a protracted review.

The New York Times

Voted to hold a protracted meeting with Elder King.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing disruptions in fields like project management or film production, use "a protracted interruption" to emphasize the severity and length of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "a protracted interruption" for brief or minor disruptions; it implies a significant and extended period of inactivity or disturbance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a protracted interruption" functions as a noun phrase, where "protracted" is an adjective modifying the noun "interruption". It describes a specific type of interruption that is characterized by its extended duration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a protracted interruption" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a lengthy or prolonged break in an activity. While not extremely common, as noted by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the interruption is indeed significant and extended. Consider related phrases like "a prolonged break" or "a lengthy disruption" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A prolonged break

Replaces "interruption" with "break" and "protracted" with "prolonged", maintaining the sense of an extended pause.

A lengthy disruption

Substitutes "protracted" with "lengthy" and "interruption" with "disruption", emphasizing the disturbance caused.

An extended cessation

Replaces "protracted" with "extended" and "interruption" with "cessation", offering a more formal tone.

A drawn-out pause

Uses "drawn-out" to convey the prolonged nature and "pause" as a more general term for interruption.

A sustained hiatus

Employs "sustained" and "hiatus" for a more sophisticated vocabulary, indicating a deliberate or necessary break.

A lingering suspension

Highlights the ongoing nature of the interruption with "lingering" and uses "suspension" to suggest a temporary halt.

A chronic delay

Focuses on the delaying aspect of the interruption, using "chronic" to suggest a recurring or persistent issue.

A long-lasting intermission

Uses "long-lasting" and "intermission" to describe a break, particularly within a performance or event.

A continuous disturbance

Shifts the focus to the disruptive nature with "disturbance" and implies ongoing effect using "continuous".

A never-ending delay

Emphasizes the seemingly infinite nature of the delay using hyperbole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a protracted interruption" to describe a lengthy pause or break in an activity. For example: "The project faced delays due to "a protracted interruption" in funding."

What's a less formal way to say "a protracted interruption"?

For a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "a long break" or "a lengthy delay". These options are suitable for casual conversation or less formal writing contexts.

What are the implications of "a protracted interruption" in business?

In a business context, ""a protracted interruption"" can signify significant setbacks, such as project cancellations, decreased productivity, and financial losses. It suggests a more serious situation than a simple delay.

Is "a protracted interruption" the same as "a brief interruption"?

No, they are opposites. "A protracted interruption" implies a long and extended pause, while "a brief interruption" refers to a short and temporary pause.