can be prolonged

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be prolonged" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has the potential to last longer than its expected duration. Example: The effects of this medication on the body can be prolonged if taken correctly.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. A straight line segment can be prolonged indefinitely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A 10- or 20-years agreement can be prolonged at any time," Mr. Anikeev said.

The New York Times

For a short time, "The Willow Tree" tricks you into wondering how this happy ending can be prolonged for the rest of the movie.

The New York Times

The lesson for the west is that economic torpor can be prolonged by overhasty policy tightening and by a failure to clean up the banking system.

The Guardian - Business

This effect can be prolonged using a suitable refrigerant gas, so long as the power to pump it around in a loop of compressors and radiators is maintained.

The New York Times

An undefeated season and hopes of a national championship can be prolonged with a victory here on Saturday against Penn State (5-2).

The New York Times - Sports

Without them, however, the duration of trials that seek to advance the treatment of chronic conditions can be prolonged by decades.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now, we show that these four sequences can be prolonged for some negative indices of use.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

As a result, airborne campaigns can be prolonged and accumulate costs.

Carbon Balance and Management

MMIHS has a particularly poor prognosis; however, when appropriately managed, survival can be prolonged.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

Additionally, MERS-CoV shedding can be prolonged and may last for >30 days [27].

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be prolonged", ensure the context clearly indicates what actions or conditions facilitate the extension. For instance, specify the methods or factors that lead to the prolongation.

Common error

Avoid using "can be prolonged" without providing sufficient evidence or justification for the claim. Instead of vaguely stating something "can be prolonged", offer specific details or mechanisms supporting this possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be prolonged" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses the possibility or potential for something to be extended in duration. This function is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be prolonged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates the possibility of extending the duration of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedic content. The phrase is versatile, with synonyms like "can be extended" offering similar meanings. While its usage is generally straightforward, it's important to provide context on how or why something "can be prolonged" to avoid vagueness. High-quality sources commonly employ this phrase, reinforcing its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be extended

This alternative uses 'extended' instead of 'prolonged', offering a slightly more common and less formal tone.

can be lengthened

Replacing 'prolonged' with 'lengthened' offers a direct synonym with a slightly different emphasis on physical length versus time.

can be continued

This phrase focuses on the continuation of something rather than specifically extending its duration.

can be stretched out

This option suggests a more active and possibly artificial extension of time.

can be sustained

This alternative emphasizes maintaining something over a longer period, implying support or effort to keep it going.

can be drawn out

Similar to "can be stretched out", this implies a deliberate act of making something last longer, often unnecessarily.

can be perpetuated

This implies causing something to continue indefinitely, often with a negative connotation.

can be maintained

Focuses on keeping something at a certain level or state for a longer duration, often through specific actions.

can be dragged out

This suggests extending something in a tedious or unwanted way, often implying unnecessary delay.

can be spun out

This suggests extending something deceptively or cleverly, often to gain an advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "can be prolonged" in a sentence?

You can use "can be prolonged" to describe something that has the potential to last longer than its typical duration. For example, "The battery life "can be prolonged" by using power-saving mode".

What are some alternatives to "can be prolonged"?

Some alternatives include "can be extended", "can be lengthened", or "can be continued", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "can be prolonged" or "can be extended"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Can be prolonged" might suggest a more active or deliberate effort to lengthen something, while "can be extended" may simply indicate the possibility of lasting longer.

What factors determine if something "can be prolonged"?

The factors depend on the specific context. For example, the shelf life of food "can be prolonged" through proper storage, or the duration of a meeting "can be prolonged" by lengthy discussions.