for a protracted time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a protracted time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a duration that is extended or lengthy, often in contexts discussing delays or prolonged situations. Example: "The project has been delayed for a protracted time, causing frustration among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are disorders characterised by excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF), and patients with these chronic diseases receive treatment for a protracted time.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

*The recommended antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, is taken for a protracted time, perhaps 45 to 60 days.

The New York Times

Therefore, it could be possible to modify the design of these items such that the items detach from where they are connected to after a heavy weight is placed on them for a protracted time period.

Injury Epidemiology

Since laws and driver courtesy seem to mean nothing to these drivers, perhaps loss of their driving privileges for a protracted time, and fines that mean something, will help to alleviate this problem.

Los Angeles Times

The origin of this practice may be associated with the belief that vaginal dryness during intercourse allows a man to maintain his erection for a protracted time [ 12].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If we have a very protracted time when companies are strapped for cash, they may decide not to use outplacement services.

The New York Times

From our work, we would suggest that as it takes a protracted time for the β-catenin exon 3 mutation to have a phenotype in the small intestine, this mutation would probably be neutral (0.5) for some time.

EMBO Journal

If the infusion is given over a protracted time course (48 h) for more invasive and routinely painful procedures, patients can have a decreased risk of developing persistent postoperative pain in months that follow.

BioMed Research International

One cannot emphasize the need for repeated evaluations of the psychosocial factor over a protracted time period.

Breast Cancer Research

The biological basis of this link is likely to be multi-factorial including both age-associated decline in anti-oncogenic functions, such as repair of oxidative damage to DNA, timing of etiologic exposures and/or protracted time required for accumulation of a full set of oncogenic mutations [ 1, 2].

Aging

The TIPS method eliminates the need and protracted time for titering virus supernatants, and provides stable, concentrated storage of recombinant baculovirus in the form of infected cells.

Protein Expression and Purification

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific papers, consider using "for a protracted time" to describe the duration of experiments or observations, as it adds a layer of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "for a protracted time" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "for a long time" or "for a while" are often more appropriate and natural in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a protracted time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. It specifies that something occurs or persists over an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a protracted time" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize an unexpectedly long duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's more formal than "for a long time", it's appropriate for news articles, scientific papers and professional contexts. Its use in casual conversation might sound stilted. Keep in mind that similar phrases like "for an extended period" offer alternative ways to express the same idea, with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an extended period

Emphasizes the length of the duration, suitable for formal contexts.

for a prolonged duration

Highlights the continuation of something over a significant timeframe.

for a considerable time

Implies a notably long duration, often used in general contexts.

for a lengthy period

Focuses on the long nature of the duration.

over an extended timeframe

Highlights the temporal aspect of the duration, suitable for projects and planning.

for a good while

A more informal way of indicating a long duration.

for ages

An idiomatic expression indicating a very long time, typically used informally.

for the long haul

Refers to a long-term commitment or endurance.

in the long run

Focuses on the eventual outcome after a considerable duration.

over the long term

Indicates something that happens or is expected to last for many years.

FAQs

How can I use "for a protracted time" in a sentence?

Use "for a protracted time" to describe a situation that lasts longer than expected, such as, "The illness kept him away from work "for a protracted time"".

What are some alternatives to "for a protracted time"?

You can use alternatives like "for an extended period", "for a considerable time", or "over an extended timeframe depending on the context.

Is it better to say "for a protracted time" or "for a long time"?

While both are correct, "for a protracted time" is more formal and emphasizes the unexpected or excessive duration. "For a long time" is more common and suitable for general use.

What's the difference between "for a protracted time" and "in the long run"?

"For a protracted time" refers to the duration of an event, whereas "in the long run" refers to the eventual consequences or outcome after a long duration.