dragging out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dragging out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is prolonged unnecessarily or extended beyond what is needed. Example: "The meeting felt like it was dragging out, and we were all eager to get to the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soon, negotiations were dragging out longer than many had expected.

The Washington Post

Lessin and Deal began to suspect that ITVS was dragging out negotiations.

The New Yorker

Teams of officers charged into the crowd with nightsticks, dragging out suspects.

The New York Times

But dragging out the process could be damaging for the police as well.

The Economist

He can do everything on the ship, from dragging out an anchor to complicated engine repairs.

The New York Times

The auditions for Ghostbusters kept dragging out and dragging out so when I finally got the part, the boys and I really celebrated.

The Guardian - Film

Supporters argued that this would stop members from dragging out sessions to earn their daily pay.

The New York Times

Davis recently accused the EU of dragging out talks "to get more money out of us".

The Guardian

Their fence-sitting is dragging out the contest and undermining their party's chances in the fall.

The New York Times

"There is no point in dragging out something that cannot be done just because we agreed to do it before.

The New York Times

To critics, this is merely dragging out the party's public humiliation.The president's indecisiveness timidity even will further undermine his authority.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dragging out" when you want to emphasize the tedious or unnecessary prolongation of an event, process, or discussion. It's particularly effective when implying that the extension is unwelcome or counterproductive.

Common error

Avoid using "dragging out" in overly passive constructions, such as "the decision was being dragged out". Opt for a more direct and active voice: "they are dragging out the decision", which provides clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dragging out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used transitively. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of prolonging something, typically with a negative connotation. Examples show it used in contexts like negotiations or investigations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dragging out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of prolonging something, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent use in news and media, wiki, and academic sources. While alternatives like "prolonging" and "extending" exist, "dragging out" specifically implies a sense of tedium or unnecessary delay. When writing, it's essential to use "dragging out" actively and avoid passive constructions to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prolonging

Emphasizes the act of lengthening something in duration.

extending

Focuses on making something longer, often in a physical or temporal sense.

protracting

Suggests a more deliberate and sometimes unwelcome lengthening of something.

drawing out

Similar to "dragging out", but can also imply eliciting information or details.

lengthening

A general term for making something longer, without necessarily implying negativity.

stretching out

Implies extending something to its limit, often making it thin or weak.

delaying

Focuses on postponing or holding something back, rather than simply making it longer.

stalling

Suggests intentionally delaying something, often to avoid a difficult situation.

postponing

Formally putting something off to a later time.

deferring

Similar to postponing, but often implies a more formal or official delay.

FAQs

How can I use "dragging out" in a sentence?

You can use "dragging out" to describe a situation where something is prolonged unnecessarily, for example, "The negotiations are "dragging out" longer than expected."

What are some alternatives to "dragging out"?

Alternatives to "dragging out" include "prolonging", "extending", or "protracting", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dragging out" or "prolonging"?

Both "dragging out" and "prolonging" are correct, but "dragging out" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the prolongation is unnecessary or unwelcome. "Prolonging" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "dragging out" and "drawing out"?

While both phrases imply extending something, "dragging out" suggests a tedious or unwelcome extension, whereas "drawing out" can also mean eliciting information or details gradually.