a protracted tunnel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a protracted tunnel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tunnel that is extended in length or takes a long time to traverse. Example: "The hikers emerged from a protracted tunnel, relieved to see daylight after what felt like an eternity underground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

News reports of a protracted fire in a tunnel involving Norway's beloved brunost (brown cheese) spread beyond the county of Nordland this week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On Monday evening, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a protracted military campaign that would continue until Hamas tunnels have been destroyed.

Independent

A protracted legal fight was also waged by residents who said the tunnel would destroy their middle-class neighborhood.

The New York Times

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

"It was a protracted review.

The New York Times

Plans for a protracted meeting in October.

Cornell University

A protracted three-way bidding war ensued.

The New York Times - Arts

A protracted negotiation over the terms follows.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a protracted tunnel" when you want to emphasize not just the length of the tunnel, but also the duration or effort associated with its construction or passage. It's particularly fitting when describing projects or journeys that faced delays or required sustained effort.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted" simply to sound sophisticated. If the tunnel is merely long without any implied difficulty or extended duration in its creation or use, simpler terms like "long" or "extended" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a protracted tunnel" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. "Protracted" modifies "tunnel", indicating an extended duration or length, often implying difficulty or a drawn-out process. Although Ludwig AI has not found any exact examples, the individual words were found in distinct examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a protracted tunnel" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a tunnel characterized by significant length or duration, often implying difficulty or a drawn-out process. While Ludwig AI did not identify direct instances of the phrase, the individual words were used in different examples. The phrase, as Ludwig AI suggested, finds utility across neutral registers in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts and can be helpful when you need to convey the tunnel's length together with an extra implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A long tunnel

Focuses on the physical length of the tunnel.

An extended tunnel

Similar to "long tunnel", but suggests a planned or designed extension.

A lengthy tunnel

Emphasizes the duration or difficulty of traversing the tunnel.

A prolonged tunnel

Similar to "protracted", emphasizing duration but perhaps less formal.

A drawn-out tunnel

Suggests a process of building the tunnel that took longer than expected.

A time-consuming tunnel

Highlights the amount of time required to build or pass through the tunnel.

A never-ending tunnel

Exaggerates the length or the experience of traversing the tunnel.

A sustained tunnel project

Focuses on the continuous effort involved in building the tunnel.

A far-reaching tunnel system

Highlights the geographical extent of the tunnel.

A sprawling tunnel network

Emphasizes the extensive and complex nature of the tunnel system.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The construction of "a protracted tunnel" through the mountains took over a decade due to unforeseen geological challenges".

What are some alternatives to "a protracted tunnel"?

Consider using alternatives such as "a long tunnel", "an extended tunnel", or "a lengthy tunnel" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a protracted tunnel" and "a long tunnel"?

While both describe the length of the tunnel, "a protracted tunnel" implies that the tunnel's construction or traversal was longer or more difficult than expected. "A long tunnel" simply describes the physical length.

In what contexts is it best to use the phrase "a protracted tunnel"?

The phrase is best used in contexts where the duration or difficulty associated with the tunnel's creation or use is relevant to the narrative, such as describing challenging engineering projects or arduous journeys.