a protracted procedure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a protracted procedure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process or method that takes a long time to complete, often implying that it is unnecessarily lengthy. Example: "The approval of the project was delayed due to a protracted procedure involving multiple levels of bureaucracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Team Auto's idea was to bypass the traditional bankruptcy procedure, in which the entire company would be restructured through a protracted process of negotiation with creditors.

The New Yorker

This may suggest a protracted process of hominin adaptation to these emerging, more open landscapes.

Journal of Human Evolution

It did not have to be such a protracted process.

The New York Times

Wells Fargo said its view that Intel will be found guilty "is based not only on our reading of the complaint, but also on Intel's agreement this spring to proceedings in Japan that alleged many of the same actions as well as AMD's previous victory in a protracted legal procedure against Intel regarding access to intellectual property".

Forbes

However, saturation biopsies have been criticized for their invasiveness (often involving >50 biopsies), protracted procedure time and their expense because each biopsy must be interpreted by a pathologist.

Cancer Imaging

The legislation would set up protracted procedures that critics say would enable Fannie and Freddie to continue to use their enormous political clout with Congress to beat back proposals that their executives view as onerous.

The New York Times

Short and infrequent breath holds reduce the temporal efficiency of both PET/CT imaging and treatment delivery, leading to protracted procedures that may no longer be clinically viable.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

The reason for this is likely that biliary obstruction due to chronic pancreatitis often has a protracted course, requiring multiple procedures if plastic stents are used [ 66].

BMC Gastroenterology

This is a protracted, labor-intensive, and expensive procedure that can slow the diagnostic process and restricts use in a large segment of the population.

Autoimmunity Highlights

If the infusion is given over a protracted time course (48 h) for more invasive and routinely painful procedures, patients can have a decreased risk of developing persistent postoperative pain in months that follow.

BioMed Research International

"This is the kind of stuff that, traditionally, was extracted, if at all, only after a protracted, highly public fight," said Charles Tiefer, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and the author of "Congressional Practice and Procedure".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a protracted procedure", ensure the context clearly indicates why the procedure is lengthy, such as bureaucratic hurdles or inherent complexity. This clarifies the reason for the extended duration.

Common error

Avoid using "a protracted procedure" simply to add complexity to your writing. If a simpler term like "lengthy process" suffices, use it. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a protracted procedure" functions as a noun phrase, where 'protracted' modifies 'procedure'. It describes a specific type of procedure characterized by its extended duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a protracted procedure" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a process that is notably long, often implying that its duration is excessive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. While it appears across diverse fields like science, news, and academia, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Alternatives such as "a lengthy process" or "a prolonged process" may sometimes be more suitable. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the emphasis on the procedure's extended duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy process

Replaces "protracted" with "lengthy", emphasizing the duration of the process.

a prolonged process

Substitutes "protracted" with "prolonged", focusing on the extended nature of the process.

an extended process

Uses "extended" in place of "protracted", highlighting the increased duration.

a drawn-out process

Replaces "protracted" with "drawn-out", suggesting a process that takes longer than expected.

a time-consuming process

Focuses on the amount of time the process requires.

a long-winded procedure

Implies the procedure is unnecessarily long and complex.

a tedious procedure

Highlights the boring and repetitive nature of a long procedure.

a cumbersome process

Emphasizes the difficulty and complexity of the long process.

a complicated procedure

Focuses on the intricate and complex nature of the procedure.

a never-ending process

Emphasizes that the process seems to have no end.

FAQs

What does "a protracted procedure" mean?

The phrase "a protracted procedure" refers to a process or method that takes a significant amount of time, often implying that it is unnecessarily long or extended.

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

You might say, "The project's approval was delayed due to "a protracted procedure" involving multiple levels of bureaucracy."

What are some alternatives to "a protracted procedure"?

Alternatives include "a lengthy process", "a prolonged process", or "an extended procedure", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a protracted procedure" versus "a lengthy process"?

"A protracted procedure" often suggests the length is excessive or unnecessary, whereas "a lengthy process" simply indicates that it takes a considerable amount of time without necessarily implying criticism.