drag on for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drag on for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that continues for a longer duration than expected or desired. Example: "The meeting seemed to drag on for a while, making it difficult for everyone to stay focused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

On Tuesday, General Manager Brian Cashman asserted that the team's search for a third-base replacement for Alex Rodriguez could drag on for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's some concern that the lawyers are going to take over and this thing is going to drag on for a while".

The New York Times

So things may drag on for a while, if only because it takes a bit of courage to decide to walk away, but if you both know it's over and there's no way back to the way things were, much less forward to the way you'd fantasised things would be, where else is there to go but off, and preferably slamming a door.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the difference between him and Carson, he said, "is that this issue involves the courts, which means that this could drag on for a while and set off a feeding frenzy again and again thanks to the blogs, the cable channels and the tabloids, none of which show any sign of calming down".

The New York Times

The case seems certain to drag on for a while.Meanwhile, Mr Gilani has become an increasingly controversial figure.

The Economist

Then if she'd didn't get caught fairly quickly on a falsehood, the charade could drag on for a while, though with suspicions about things like her celeb-packed Instagram feed and the excuses about why she couldn't deliver.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As many people will recall (because the controversy dragged on for a while), an update in Instagram's terms of service and privacy policy, which was introduced so it could better collaborate with Facebook after the social networking service purchased it, upset and confused users who worried that their photos would be sold or used in ads without their permission.

TechCrunch

"A year or two ago there would be a problem or I'd play a bad match and rather than getting the issue sorted out it would drag on for a little while and affect my practice," Murray added.

BBC

The four guys convicted, including the founders Peter Sunde and Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, all said they would appeal the verdict, so expect this to drag on for a little while longer.

TechCrunch

"It's not a short-term thing, it might drag on for a few more weeks while we're still sorting everything out," Hodges told BBC Radio Cornwall.

BBC

Sometimes this part can drag on for a couple of days while you go back and forth with dates and times but in this case it took no more than 20 minutes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drag on for a while", consider the connotation. It often implies a negative or undesirable prolongation. If you want to avoid this, use a more neutral phrase like "continue for some time".

Common error

Avoid using "drag on for a while" in highly formal or professional writing where a more precise or neutral term is preferred. Instead, opt for phrases like "extend for a period" or "continue for a duration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drag on for a while" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the duration of an event, process, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drag on for a while" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an event or situation extending longer than desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While it carries a slightly negative connotation, it's versatile enough to be used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "continue for some time" to mitigate the negative implication. Keep in mind that the most frequent and authoritative sources come from names such as The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue for some time

Focuses on the continuation aspect rather than the potentially negative connotation of something "dragging".

last for an extended period

Emphasizes the duration of the event or situation, highlighting its length.

go on for a considerable time

Highlights the length of the time and the perceived significance.

persist for a duration

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the situation and its resilience.

stretch out over time

Implies that something is being extended or prolonged, often unnecessarily.

draw out over a period

Similar to stretch out, but can also imply a deliberate lengthening.

protract for a while

Implies an artificial or unnecessary lengthening of something.

linger for some time

Suggests that something is remaining or continuing beyond what is expected or desired.

extend for a certain period

Emphasizes the measured and potentially predetermined length of the continuation.

endure for a good while

Highlights the capacity of something to last or withstand the passage of time.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "drags on for a while"?

When something "drags on for a while", it means it continues longer than expected or desired. It suggests the process is tedious or unnecessarily prolonged.

What can I say instead of "drag on for a while" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases such as "continue for some time", "extend for a period", or "last for an extended period".

Is it correct to say something "drags on for a while", or is it grammatically incorrect?

It's grammatically correct to say something "drags on for a while". It's a common idiom used in everyday language.

What is the difference between "drag on for a while" and simply "continue"?

"Drag on for a while" implies a negative connotation of being tedious or prolonged unnecessarily, while "continue" is a neutral term for something that simply keeps going.