drawing it out

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawing it out" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to prolonging a situation or making something take longer than necessary. Example: "He kept drawing it out, making the meeting last for hours." Alternative expressions include "prolonging it" and "extending it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Then there's an anecdote about her encounter with a paparazzo, whose sanctimony Long sends up, à la Stewart Lee, by drawing it out until its absurdity is ruthlessly exposed.

The Guardian

The formula has to do with speeding up movement when the music is slow and drawing it out when a song picks up its pace.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is better to close this as quickly as possible rather than drawing it out because that would just damage the bank and its clients," Benito Benedini, an Intesa board member, was quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA as saying as he left a board meeting Wednesday.

The New York Times

She repeats the word, drawing it out like bubble gum.

The Guardian - Film

"No," she says, drawing it out as if the word were a rubber band.

The New Yorker

Lisa, startled, repeated the question in Spanish, drawing it out for the sake of politeness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Did you draw it out first?

The New York Times

I have drawn it out and illustrated it in Prismacolor.

The New York Times

You can almost draw it out in a diagram.

The New York Times

Just draw it out!" Mr. Tamarkin got sheepish.

The New York Times

"If a man's got killing in him, the West will draw it out".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drawing it out" when you want to emphasize the act of prolonging something, whether it's a process, a sound, or a conversation. It often carries a connotation of making something last longer than is necessary or desirable.

Common error

Instead of saying "The process was drawn out by the committee", opt for a more direct and active construction like "The committee drew out the process". This will make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawing it out" functions as a phrasal verb, acting as the continuous form of "draw out." It typically modifies a verb, indicating that an action is being prolonged or extended. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drawing it out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb signifying the act of prolonging something. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its frequent use in various contexts, from news articles to how-to guides. While its register is generally neutral, it is important to consider the context to avoid overuse or inappropriate formality. When writing, be mindful of potentially passive constructions and actively emphasize the actor "drawing it out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dragging it out

Implies making something last longer than necessary, often with a negative connotation.

prolonging it

Focuses on extending the duration of something.

extending it

Similar to prolonging, but can also refer to physical extension.

detailing it

Refers to elaborating or providing more information.

elaborating on it

Suggests expanding on a topic with more explanation.

teasing it out

Implies extracting information or a response with some difficulty.

extracting it

Focuses on removing or obtaining something, often with effort.

stretching it out

Similar to dragging, but can also refer to physical stretching.

milking it

Suggests exploiting a situation for maximum benefit or attention.

protracting it

A more formal synonym for prolonging.

FAQs

How can I use "drawing it out" in a sentence?

You can use "drawing it out" to describe prolonging something, for example: "She was accused of "drawing it out" to get more money from the company."

What's a synonym for "drawing it out"?

Alternatives to "drawing it out" include "prolonging it", "extending it", or "dragging it out", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "drawing it out" or "draw it out"?

"Drawing it out" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses. "Draw it out" is the imperative or infinitive form. For example, "They are "drawing it out"" versus "Please "draw it out" on the map".

What does it mean to "draw something out" of someone?

To "draw something out" of someone means to encourage them to express their feelings or thoughts. For example, "The therapist tried to "draw it out" of the patient by asking open-ended questions".