as protracted as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as protracted as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the length or duration of two events or situations, indicating that one is as lengthy as the other. Example: "The negotiations were as protracted as the previous discussions, lasting several months without resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In a world of conflict, confrontation, deadlocks and dead ends, few crises are as protracted as the Israeli-Palestinian impasse.

The Guardian

Among other things, he studied journalism at Texas Tech in an undergraduate career as protracted as some of his stories.

The New York Times - Sports

New Jersey even had a nail-biter of a congressional race that may be as protracted as the electoral ugliness in Florida.

The New York Times

But it turned out that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had chosen this game to return from a slump that had seemed just as protracted as Pennington's injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Unless one of the candidates delivers a series of early victories, the nominating contest could be as protracted as the Democratic primary in 2008.

The New York Times

"How do you wean an economy off of this easy money policy, which was never meant to be as protracted as it has become?" said Edward Marrinan, the head of macro credit strategy at RBS Securities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Fortunately for her fans, Ms. Freni's farewell has been protracted, as well.

The New York Times - Arts

Premature disclosure can be as unnerving as protracted concealment.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only question is whether it will be as protracted and violent as Europe's mid-20th century retreat from a newly assertive Asia and Africa.

The New York Times

To have marched in the last legal Communist demonstration in Berlin in 1933 may have been an experience as delicious as protracted sexual intercourse (Hobsbawm's metaphor, not mine), but the experience of defending the indefensible and -- more insulting -- of being asked to believe the unbelievable was far less delightful and, equally to the point, very much more protracted.

The New York Times - Books

After languishing under a communications lockdown as protracted and geographically far-reaching as any in China in the digital age, some residents were thrilled with even so modest an opening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as protracted as", ensure you are comparing two things that are known to the reader, providing context for the comparison to be effective. For example, "The legal battle was as protracted as the original contract negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "as protracted as" when a simpler term like "long" or "extended" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as protracted as" functions as a comparative construction, used to equate the duration or length of one event or situation to another. It relies on the adjective "protracted" to describe something that is extended in time, often implying that it is longer than desirable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as protracted as" serves as a comparative tool to equate the duration of two events or situations, often with a slightly negative implication of excessive length. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. While alternatives like "as long as" or "as extended as" exist, "as protracted as" carries a specific connotation of something being drawn out. The usage of the phrase is relatively rare in general contexts, finding prevalence in News & Media sources, and is typically used to draw parallels between events, emphasizing the length of their duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as prolonged as

Replaces "protracted" with "prolonged", emphasizing the extended duration.

as extended as

Substitutes "protracted" with "extended", focusing on the reach or scope of the duration.

as lengthy as

Replaces "protracted" with "lengthy", highlighting the considerable length of time.

as drawn out as

Uses the idiomatic "drawn out" in place of "protracted", conveying a sense of something being unnecessarily long.

as lingering as

Replaces "protracted" with "lingering", suggesting a slow fading or continuation.

as sustained as

Substitutes "protracted" with "sustained", emphasizing the continuous nature of the duration.

as dragged on as

Uses the colloquial "dragged on" instead of "protracted", indicating an unwanted or tedious continuation.

as interminable as

Replaces "protracted" with "interminable", stressing the seemingly endless quality.

as never-ending as

Replaces "protracted" with "never-ending", emphasizing the continuous nature of something.

as long-lasting as

Substitutes "protracted" with "long-lasting", focusing on the duration of existence.

FAQs

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

Use "as protracted as" to compare the duration of two events, emphasizing that one is as lengthy as the other. For example, "The peace talks were "as protracted as" the war itself".

What are some alternatives to using "as protracted as"?

You can use alternatives such as "as long as", "as extended as", or "as prolonged as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "as protracted as" formal or informal?

"As protracted as" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "as long as" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "as protracted as" and "as long as"?

"As protracted as" implies a sense of something being drawn out and possibly undesirable, while "as long as" simply refers to the duration without necessarily implying negativity. "Protracted" also suggests a process of some kind, where "long" does not.