has been dragging on

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been dragging on' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something (an event, a situation, etc.) is taking or has taken longer than expected. For example: "This legal dispute between the two companies has been dragging on for months with no resolution in sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

This Beatles-on-iTunes speculation has been dragging on forever.

TechCrunch

Their two cases contend that the Money Store levied improper legal fees while borrowers were in foreclosure; one case has been dragging on for 10 years, the other for eight.

The New York Times

This has been dragging on since September.

The New York Times - Health

"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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Microsoft's antitrust battles in court and with regulators seem to have been dragging on forever.

The Economist

But the negotiations have been dragging on.

The New York Times

Lou, who had been dragging on Talbot Street, came back to life.

The New York Times - Arts

Cold Spring's battles, connected with two key properties, have been dragging on for five years.

The New York Times

Vanunu's attempts to leave Israel have been dragging on for more than seven years now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been dragging on" when you want to express frustration or impatience about the length of time something is taking. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it can sometimes sound negative.

Common error

While "has been dragging on" is widely understood, it can sound too informal or subjective for very formal writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "has been protracted" or "has experienced significant delays" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dragging on" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present perfect continuous construction, indicating that an action or state began in the past and is still continuing, often with the implication that it is taking longer than desired. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is commonly used to express frustration or impatience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been dragging on" is a verb phrase used to describe something taking longer than expected, often with negative connotations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context, as the expression can be deemed informal in certain settings. Be mindful of overusing it in highly formal writing, and consider alternatives if needed. The expression is most often found on sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been continuing for too long

Focuses on the duration being excessive.

has been prolonged unnecessarily

Emphasizes the lack of a good reason for the extended duration.

has been taking an age

An informal way to say something is taking a very long time.

has been lingering for ages

Implies something is remaining present longer than desired.

has overstayed its welcome

Suggests something is no longer wanted due to its extended duration.

has remained unresolved for quite some time

Highlights the lack of resolution after a considerable duration.

has stretched out longer than anticipated

Emphasizes that the duration exceeded initial expectations.

is taking much longer than expected

Directly states the duration is exceeding expectations.

has become protracted

Uses a more formal term to describe the extended duration.

has seen undue delays

Highlights that the duration was unnecessarily delayed.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been dragging on" to describe an event, process, or situation that is taking longer than expected or desired. For example, "The contract negotiations "have been dragging on" for months, with no resolution in sight."

What are some alternatives to "has been dragging on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been continuing for too long", "has been prolonged unnecessarily", or "is taking much longer than expected".

Is "has been dragging on" formal or informal?

"Has been dragging on" leans toward the informal side. While widely understood, it's best suited for casual or journalistic contexts. More formal situations might call for phrases like "has been protracted".

What does it imply when something "has been dragging on"?

It implies that something is taking an excessively long time, often creating a sense of frustration or weariness. It suggests that the situation should have concluded earlier.