ask to prolong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask to prolong" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when requesting an extension or continuation of something, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I would like to ask to prolong the deadline for the project submission."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is it morally sound, western countries must ask, to prolong a conflict, one that is killing people every day, when we no longer expect the side we have favoured to win?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Are you really sure we need to prolong life?

The Guardian

It would take an extremely skilled communicator to both attack dynastic rule and ask voters to prolong it.

The Economist

But however much they mistrust him, the Palestinians cannot be seen to be asking Mr Sharon to prolong any part of the occupation.

The Economist

TRIPOLI, Libya Libyaya's interim leader said Wednesday that he had asked NATO to prolong its air patrols through December and add military advisers on the ground, despite his official declaration on Sunday of the country's liberation after the killing of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

The New York Times

Did Bush green-light this prolonging of Iraq's chaos while asking our troops to prolong their sacrifice?

Huffington Post

The parents asked the hospital to not take measures to prolong the suffering infant's life, but the hospital disregarded their wishes.

Huffington Post

As a result the local Greeks asked the French authorities to prolong their occupation until the end of World War I.

Wikipedia

When specifically asked to clarify the term "prolonged diarrhoea" there was considerable variation in opinion from 5 days to over three weeks; five stated over five days, nine one week and three over two weeks; there was no difference in this definition between GPs from lower, average and higher submitting surgeries.

BMC Family Practice

I asked and received cheerful permission to prolong the morning until 1, an hour later than the ordinary checkout time, and proceeded to work at my laptop for the next several hours, with breaks to look out the window.

The New York Times - Travel

To date, the socialist leader's biggest pledge is that he will ask the EU and IMF to allow Athens to prolong adoption of the latest cuts through to the end of 2015, rather than 2014.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more direct and common alternatives such as "request an extension" or "ask for a delay" for clarity and better readability.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "ask to prolong" in casual conversations. It sounds overly formal and may seem unnatural. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "ask to extend" or "ask for more time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask to prolong" functions as a verb phrase indicating a request for the continuation or extension of something. It is used to express a desire for something to last longer than initially planned. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI suggests that it may sound somewhat formal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask to prolong" is grammatically acceptable but is not the most common way to express a request for extending something. As Ludwig AI points out, it can sound somewhat formal, and using more common alternatives such as "request an extension" or "ask for a delay" often leads to clearer and more natural communication. The phrase is more frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Therefore, consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use "ask to prolong" or a simpler alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request an extension of

Replaces "ask" with a more formal verb "request" and specifies "extension".

seek to extend

Uses a more formal verb "seek" instead of "ask" and directly uses "extend".

apply for an extension to

Specifies the action of "applying" for an "extension".

petition for the continuation of

Employs a more formal and legalistic tone with "petition" and "continuation".

lobby for an extension to

Suggests a more active and persuasive approach to obtaining an extension.

appeal for the lengthening of

Uses "appeal" suggesting a formal request, and "lengthening" as a synonym for prolonging.

enquire about extending

Replaces "ask" with "enquire" and uses a gerund form of "extend".

make a plea for the duration of

Replaces "ask" with "make a plea", adding a sense of urgency or desperation.

urge the continuation of

Conveys a strong desire for the continuation of something.

press for an extension on

Suggests active and insistent requesting.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "ask to prolong"?

You can use alternatives like "request an extension", "seek to extend", or "apply for an extension" depending on the context.

Is "ask to prolong" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "ask to prolong" might sound slightly awkward or formal in certain contexts. It's often better to use more common phrases for clearer communication.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ask to prolong"?

The phrase "ask to prolong" can be appropriate in formal writing or speech when you want to emphasize the request for an extension or continuation. However, consider your audience and choose more common alternatives when appropriate.

How can I make my request sound more natural than using "ask to prolong"?

To sound more natural, try rephrasing your request as "Can I extend...?", "Is it possible to prolong...?", or simply "I'd like to request an extension of...".