greatly protracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly protracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been extended or delayed for a significant amount of time. Example: "The negotiations were greatly protracted, leading to frustration among all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Furthermore, the greatly protracted Ca2+ transients in cell lines containing pathogenic mtDNA mutations may also increase the risk of triggering necrotic or apoptotic cell death (Clarke et al., 1993; Hardingham et al., 2002).

Brain

Wang et al. (2006) have shown that expression of S3D cofilin in mouse MtLn3 breast cancer cells resulted in a delayed cellular response to EGF stimulation that was manifested by a greatly protracted formation of lamellipodial extensions and cell motility.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

It is likely that future field applications that employ multiple treatments of plants with greatly protracted contact time between GWSS and particles will increase colonization rates in the insect.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By analogy with human K+ channels, the activatable K+ channel corresponds to the calcium-activated K+ channel (IKCa1) whose expression is greatly increased upon protracted activation through the TCR [37].

Plosone

The problem was greatly exacerbated, however, when the combination of slumping revenues and the prospect of protracted economic weakness led to large budget deficits and concerns about solvency, even in countries like Spain that entered the crisis with budget surpluses and low debt.

The New York Times

A protracted silence.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are also protracted.

The Economist

Conflicts are becoming more protracted.

The Economist

The result was protracted economic weakness.

The New York Times

Long, protracted courtships are not uncommon".

The New Yorker

Each issue has generated protracted debate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly protracted" to emphasize that something has been extended or delayed to a significant and often undesirable degree. It adds a stronger sense of duration than simply saying "protracted".

Common error

Avoid using "greatly protracted" in contexts where a simpler term like "long" or "extended" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the extended duration is particularly noteworthy or problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly protracted" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It emphasizes the extended duration of an event, process, or state. The Ludwig examples showcase this use in scientific and general contexts. The phrase amplifies the sense of duration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatly protracted" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the prolonged nature of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and applicability, although it is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal or technical tone. To enhance clarity and avoid overuse, consider using simpler alternatives in less formal situations. While alternatives like "significantly prolonged", or "considerably extended", exist, "greatly protracted" underscores the exceptional duration, as the examples presented by Ludwig exemplify.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly prolonged

Emphasizes the degree of prolongation.

considerably extended

Highlights the extent of the extension.

substantially lengthened

Focuses on the increase in length.

remarkably prolonged

Stresses the noteworthiness of the prolongation.

noticeably extended

Indicates that the extension is easily observed.

extensively prolonged

Highlights the thoroughness of the prolongation.

appreciably extended

Suggests the extension is measurable or important.

markedly lengthened

Emphasizes a distinct change in length.

decidedly protracted

Implies a clear and definite protraction.

appreciably prolonged

Indicates the prolongation is considerable and worth noting.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly protracted" in a sentence?

You can use "greatly protracted" to describe something that has been extended or delayed for a significant amount of time. For example: "The negotiations were "greatly protracted", leading to frustration among all parties involved."

What are some alternatives to "greatly protracted"?

Alternatives include "significantly prolonged", "considerably extended", or "substantially lengthened". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "greatly protracted" or "very protracted"?

"Greatly protracted" and "very protracted" are similar, but "greatly" often implies a more significant degree of prolongation. While both are acceptable, "greatly protracted" may add more emphasis in certain contexts.

What does "greatly protracted" imply about the event or process?

Using "greatly protracted" suggests that the event or process has taken much longer than expected or desired, potentially causing negative consequences or complications.