a protracted process of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a protracted process of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lengthy or drawn-out series of actions or events, often implying that the process takes more time than expected or desired. Example: "The project was delayed due to a protracted process of obtaining the necessary permits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

Journal of Human Evolution

There is Alan Rickman, who always manages to sound like a python halfway through a protracted process of digestion.

The Guardian - Film

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

Pharo said "what you might get is a protracted process of her stalling on the payments", before clarifying to the judge that in two to 3% of cases there would be "no payment at all".

The Guardian

Animated feature films, in particular, often spend years in production, going through a protracted process of development, storyboarding, animation, lighting, shading, editing and revisions.

Johns Hopkins University

Today chicken eggs are at the heart of a protracted process of producing flu vaccine, a practice that has changed little since the first flu shot was introduced in the 1940s.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Merrill and another large brokerage firm, the Smith Barney unit of Citigroup, are in the latter stages of a protracted process to resolve mass claims of sex discrimination that were filed in the late 1990's.

The New York Times

He grew up poor in Philadelphia, showed little aptitude for school but great skill at art and music, and evolved through a protracted process full of disappointment and frustration into one of this country's greatest architects.

The Washington Post

As the article explained, it is the elective reconstruction of the breast or breasts that is often a protracted process involving the risk of complications and variable results.

The New York Times

The riots are of course rooted in common, regressive economic forces playing out across every continent of the planet - but those forces themselves are symptomatic of a deeper, protracted process of global system failure as we transition from the old industrial era of dirty fossil fuels, towards something else.

The Guardian

"It's a long, protracted process of fits and starts.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a protracted process of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the process is taking longer than expected or is more complex than initially anticipated. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a protracted process of" when a simpler term like "long process" or "lengthy task" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a protracted process of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a process characterized by its extended duration and potential complexity. Examples on Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a protracted process of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating a process that is not only long but potentially complex or delayed. When using this phrase, consider whether the added formality of "protracted" is necessary, or if a simpler term like "lengthy" would be more appropriate. Be aware that Ludwig provides numerous examples of the phrase in context, offering guidance on its effective usage. Related phrases include "a lengthy procedure of" and "a drawn-out sequence of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy procedure of

Replaces 'process' with 'procedure', emphasizing the formal steps involved.

a drawn-out sequence of

Substitutes 'process' with 'sequence', highlighting the ordered nature of the events, and 'protracted' with 'drawn-out' maintaining the sense of extended duration.

an extended course of

Replaces 'process' with 'course', suggesting a path or direction over time, and 'protracted' with 'extended'.

a prolonged series of

Uses 'series' instead of 'process', focusing on a set of related events, and 'prolonged' for 'protracted'.

a time-consuming affair of

Emphasizes the amount of time required, using 'affair' to denote the process.

a lingering operation of

Suggests a process that continues longer than expected, using 'lingering' instead of 'protracted'.

a gradual evolution of

Focuses on a slow, incremental development, replacing 'process' with 'evolution'.

a creeping development of

Implies a slow and almost imperceptible progress, substituting 'protracted' with 'creeping'.

a delayed unfolding of

Highlights that the process is unfolding slowly and possibly later than anticipated.

a protracted affair of

Replaces "process" with "affair", which suggests a task or event that is often complex or troublesome.

FAQs

How can I use "a protracted process of" in a sentence?

You can use "a protracted process of" to describe something that takes a very long time, like "The peace negotiations became "a protracted process of" political maneuvering".

What are some alternatives to "a protracted process of"?

Alternatives include "a lengthy process of", "a drawn-out process of", or "an extended period of", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a protracted process of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a process is not only long but also possibly more difficult or tedious than expected. It suggests that the process has encountered delays or complications.

What's the difference between "a protracted process of" and "a lengthy process of"?

"A protracted process of" often implies that the process is longer than it should be or is unnecessarily complicated, while "a lengthy process of" simply indicates that the process takes a significant amount of time without necessarily implying problems or delays.