drag

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "drag" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in many contexts, both as a verb and as a noun. For example, "He felt a sense of drag as he trudged through the mud," or "The drag of the current was too strong for the boat to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you go on a Thursday, you'll catch the best drag show in town.

The Guardian - Travel

Cash is a drag on your portfolio, no less a figure than investment guru Jack Bogle has pronounced.

The Guardian - Money

Connie, via email A To get started with programming on the Pi, you could use the drag and drop software Scratch from MIT to get used to the concepts and fundamentals such as variables, loops and input/output.

The Guardian - Tech

Declining non-food sales coupled with growing competition from a resurgent Sainsbury's and discounters like Aldi have been a major drag on performance".

The Guardian - Business

When I wasn't worrying about how to stop the water breaching my bodily barriers, I was fretting about catching pond life in the miniature drag net that is a swimming costume on an ample bosom.

The Guardian - Travel

Having followed in to contest the ball, Völler appeared to do all he could to avoid clattering Van Breuckelen in mid-air but an incensed Rijkaard attempted to drag Völler to his feet by the ear, then stamped on his foot, prompting the German to fall to the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Singer and drag artist Joey Arias sees this Meltdown as a kind of biography of both Antony and the scene that nurtured him.

The Guardian - Music

With little likelihood of that happening in the short term, the stalemate could drag on for months.

The Guardian

Looking at a cloud-filled valley was less interesting to me (or at least, no more interesting to me) than looking at my father drag his thumb along the magnetic stripe of his credit card to wipe it clean.

The Guardian - Books

"The thing is, hate crimes need to be, 'I can't stand the fact that you are gay so I am going to drag you behind a truck.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not long after he arrived in Arias's New York, Hegarty formed the Blacklips Performance Cult, a drag theatre troupe with whom he put on weekly shows at Mother, a club in the Meatpacking District frequented by drag punks and "gender mutants".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "drag" before using it. As a noun, it can mean something annoying or frustrating, so ensure it fits the tone and context.

Common error

Avoid using "drag" informally in formal writing. While it's acceptable in casual conversation to describe something as "a drag", more professional language should be used in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drag" varies depending on its usage. As a verb, it signifies the action of pulling something along a surface. As a noun, it can denote resistance, annoyance, or a style of clothing. Ludwig AI affirms these multiple functionalities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Travel

13%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Business

7%

Books

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "drag" is versatile, functioning as both a verb and a noun with various meanings. It can describe a physical action, express frustration, or refer to a type of performance. Its usage is very common, appearing frequently in news and media, travel, and sport contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The choice of register depends on the context, ranging from neutral to informal. Be mindful of these nuances when using "drag" to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pull

Focuses on the physical act of drawing something along a surface.

haul

Implies a forceful or laborious pulling of something heavy.

tow

Refers specifically to pulling something behind a vehicle or boat.

draw

Suggests a gentler, more gradual pulling motion.

tug

Indicates a sudden, sharp pull.

burden

Highlights the weight or difficulty associated with something.

encumbrance

Emphasizes the hindrance or obstacle aspect.

impediment

Specifically denotes something that obstructs progress.

draw out

Implies prolonging or extending the duration of something.

retard

Highlights the slowing down or delaying effect.

FAQs

How can I use "drag" in a sentence?

You can use "drag" in sentences like, "They had to drag the heavy box across the floor" or "The meeting seemed to drag on forever".

What does it mean to say something is "a drag"?

Saying something is "a drag" means it is annoying, boring, or disappointing. It's similar to saying something is a nuisance or a chore.

Is it correct to say 'drag' when referring to cross-dressing?

Yes, "drag" is commonly used to refer to the act of dressing in clothing typically associated with the opposite gender, often for entertainment. For example, "He performed in "drag as a member" of the performance group".

What are some synonyms for "drag" when referring to resistance?

When referring to resistance or slowing something down, you can use synonyms like "retarding force", "friction", or "resistance".