drag on for long

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drag on for long" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that continues for an extended period, often longer than expected or desired. Example: "The meeting seemed to drag on for long, making everyone restless and impatient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Hopefully this is a situation that won't drag on for long," Villas-Boas said.

The Guardian - Sport

Although the contract is scheduled to expire four months before next year's mayoral election, municipal labor negotiations typically drag on for long periods after a contract's expiration.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was general agreement on one point: The conflict in Syria could drag on for a long time.

Los Angeles Times

Instead, the War in the Western Theater would drag on for three long and bloody years.

The New York Times

But the subsequent debt and deflation did not have to drag on for so long.

The Economist

The fighting scenes, while impressive, drag on for so long the mind wanders.

The Guardian - Film

Spitzer was also aware that allowing the investigation to drag on for too long would be politically dangerous.

The New Yorker

These are short and concise introductions that do not drag on for too long and bore the students.

The Guardian

Senate Republicans want to keep them all; Mr Obama wants rid of those for the rich.Without more action, though, deleveraging could drag on for a long time.

The Economist

The Hancocks counter that the Lilliens are busybody neighbors and say they are angry that the town has allowed the issue to drag on for so long.

The New York Times

The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, accused Abbott of "following his party instead of leading it" and allowing "this divisive debate" to drag on for too long.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "drag on for long" when you want to emphasize that something is taking more time than expected or desired. It often carries a negative connotation, implying frustration or impatience.

Common error

While acceptable, "drag on for long" can sound somewhat informal. In professional or academic contexts, consider using alternatives such as "extend for a prolonged period" or "continue for an extended time" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drag on for long" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe a process, event, or situation that extends for a longer duration than desired or anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drag on for long" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that continues longer than expected, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, but suggests that it might be considered slightly informal. While commonly found in news and media, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "continue for an extended time" or "persist for a considerable duration". Be mindful of your audience and purpose when choosing your words to ensure the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend for a prolonged period

This alternative emphasizes the duration of the event.

continue for an extended time

This focuses on the continuation of the action or situation.

persist for a considerable duration

This suggests a stubborn continuation, often implying difficulty or resistance.

draw out for an excessive length

Highlights the undesirable nature of the extended duration.

protract for a lengthy span

Emphasizes the stretching or lengthening of the event.

linger for a drawn-out period

Implies a slow and reluctant ending.

stretch out for a drawn-out length

This variant emphasizes the elongated nature of the event's duration.

go on for a protracted amount of time

This version replaces "drag" with "go on" while retaining the sense of an extended duration.

last for an undue period

This alternative focuses on the inappropriateness of the long duration.

carry on for a tedious length

This suggests that the length of the action makes other people feel unease.

FAQs

What does "drag on for long" mean?

The phrase "drag on for long" means that something is continuing for a longer time than expected or desired. It often implies that the situation is tedious or unwelcome.

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

You can use "drag on for long" to describe situations like a negotiation, a meeting, or a conflict. For example: "The negotiations seemed to "drag on for long", with no resolution in sight."

What are some alternatives to "drag on for long"?

Alternatives include "continue for an extended time", "extend for a prolonged period", or "persist for a considerable duration". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "drag on for long"?

Yes, "drag on for long" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. However, according to Ludwig AI, it may be perceived as slightly informal in certain contexts, so consider your audience and purpose when choosing your words.