has been dragging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been dragging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is taking a long time to finish or that someone is progressing slowly. For example: "The meeting has been dragging on for hours now!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has been dragging on since September.

The New York Times - Health

But the Swiss government has been dragging its feet.

The New York Times

Russia had agreed to withdraw its troops by 2003, but has been dragging its feet.

The Economist

"The investigation has been dragging on for two years," he said.

The New York Times

A dispute over ownership of the temple land has been dragging on for decades.

The Economist

This has been dragging on now for two and a half years".

Independent

It is not that the FAA has been dragging its feet out of bureaucratic bloody-mindedness.

The Economist

It has been dragging on for seven years now, since the project was first proposed.

The New Yorker

Croatia in particular has been dragging its feet badly about welcoming back refugees.

The Economist

In the computer industry, a slump has been dragging down profits for months.

The New York Times

The sector has been dragging on the broader market since summer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been dragging", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone you intend. The phrase carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the prolonged duration is unwelcome.

Common error

Avoid using "has been dragging" in contexts where a slow pace is acceptable or even beneficial. The phrase inherently implies a negative perception of the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dragging" serves as a verbal phrase within a sentence, typically functioning as part of the predicate. It indicates that an action or situation has been ongoing for an extended period, often with a negative connotation of slow progress or weariness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been dragging" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is taking an extended and often unwelcome amount of time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used when you want to express that something is taking a long time to finish or that someone is progressing slowly. It is most frequently found in news and media sources. While versatile, it's crucial to consider its slightly negative connotation, avoiding its use when a slower pace is acceptable. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "has been protracted" or "has been subject to delays" might be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances allows for effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been going on for too long

Directly expresses dissatisfaction with the length of time something has lasted.

has been stretching out

Emphasizes the extension of time, often beyond what is desirable or expected.

has overstayed its welcome

Indicates that something has continued for longer than is desirable or appropriate.

has been lingering

Focuses more on the persistence of something rather than its slow progress.

has been taking its time

Suggests a leisurely or unhurried pace, which might be frustrating.

has been continuing

Indicates an ongoing action without necessarily implying it's slow or unwelcome.

has been prolonging

Similar to protracting, suggesting an extension of time, possibly intentionally.

has been protracting

Implies a deliberate lengthening of something, often unnecessarily.

has been stagnating

Conveys a sense of inactivity or lack of progress, rather than simply slow movement.

has been delayed

Focuses specifically on the postponement or retardation of an event or process.

FAQs

How can I use "has been dragging" in a sentence?

You can use "has been dragging" to describe a situation that is taking longer than expected, such as "The negotiations "has been dragging on" for months" or "The project "has been dragging behind" schedule".

What's a more formal alternative to "has been dragging"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "has been protracted", "has been extended", or "has been subject to delays".

What does it mean when something "has been dragging its feet"?

"Dragging its feet" means someone is intentionally delaying or avoiding something, often because they don't want to do it. This is slightly different from something simply taking a long time.

Is "has been dragging on" the same as "has been dragging"?

While similar, ""has been dragging on"" specifically emphasizes the continuous nature of something prolonged. "Has been dragging" can also refer to something hindering progress without necessarily implying continuous action.