drag on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'drag on' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean that something is taking longer than is desired or expected. For example: 'The meeting dragged on for hours, and at the end, we still hadn't reached a solution.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And did it drag on?

The New York Times

It might drag on till July.

The New York Times

Recounts may drag on for days.

The Economist

So fighting could drag on for months.

The Economist

The debate could drag on for weeks.

The Economist

Settlement discussions may drag on for years.

The New York Times

"Otherwise it would drag on".

The Guardian

The moment seems to drag on forever.

The New York Times

(And the parties drag on forever).

The New York Times - Arts

This could drag on for many months".

The New York Times

To drag on a pretend cigarette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drag on" when you want to convey that something is lasting longer than desired or expected, often causing boredom or frustration. For example, "The meeting dragged on for hours, with no clear resolution in sight."

Common error

Avoid using "drag on" when you intend to describe active dragging or pulling. "Drag on" describes an event or situation that is passively extending in time, not an active pulling motion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drag on" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating that something is taking longer than expected or desired. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to express frustration with the duration of an event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drag on" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that extends longer than desired or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalent use. Primarily found in News & Media sources, its function is to express negativity about the duration of an event. When writing, it's essential to remember that "drag on" describes a passive prolongation, not an active pulling action. Alternatives like "linger" or "continue at length" can be used to subtly alter the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on and on

Highlights the tedious and repetitive nature of something that lasts too long.

draw out

Focuses on making something last longer than necessary.

continue at length

Emphasizes the extended duration of an event or activity.

take forever

Emphasizes the excessively long time something requires.

linger

Focuses on the persistence of something, often an unpleasant feeling or situation, without necessarily implying an active continuation.

stretch out

Suggests extending something in time or space.

protract

Similar to prolong but often implies unnecessary length.

prolong

Implies an active effort to extend the duration of something.

extend

Highlights making something longer in duration or scope.

persist

Focuses on the continued existence of something, often despite obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "drag on" in a sentence?

Use "drag on" to describe something that continues for longer than expected or desired. For example, "The negotiations began to "drag on", frustrating both parties involved."

What's a good alternative to "drag on"?

Alternatives to "drag on" include phrases like "linger", "continue at length", or "go on and on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "drags on"?

When something "drags on", it means that it lasts longer than necessary or desired, often becoming tedious or frustrating as a result. It implies a sense of unwanted prolongation.

How is "drag on" different from "carry on"?

"Drag on" implies an undesirable continuation, while "carry on" simply means to continue with something, without necessarily implying a negative connotation. "The trial dragged on for months" versus "The team decided to carry on with the project".