has been prolonged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been prolonged" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense to indicate that an action or state started in the past and is still ongoing in the present. Here are some examples: - The meeting has been prolonged due to the many questions and concerns raised by the attendees. - The construction project has been prolonged because of the unexpected delays caused by the weather. - The negotiations have been prolonged, but we are hopeful that a resolution will be reached soon. - Her illness has been prolonged, but she is finally starting to show signs of improvement. - The wait has been prolonged, but the new shipment of products is expected to arrive next week. In each of these examples, the verb "prolonged" is used to show that the action or state (meeting, project, negotiation, illness, wait) is still ongoing at the time of speaking.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It may be the legal case has been prolonged and complex.

The Guardian - Film

A state of emergency has been prolonged for a 14th year.

The Economist

The danger to our soldiers has been prolonged by those on the frontbench who have the power to stop it".

The Guardian - Opinion

The process has been prolonged, and some of the group's members, like Mr. Lennon, have grown more frustrated.

The New York Times

The reality, though, is that Swansea's slump has been prolonged and can be traced back to the famous victory over Bradford at Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

For both Jews and Poles, the wounds from World War II have been slow to heal, and therefore the process of mourning has been prolonged and incomplete.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"I think Yale has been prolonging this case from the get-go, and we've always had the sense they are waiting for me to die," she said, so that "this will go away".

The New York Times

Along with our Treasury Department, this agency has been prolonging, deepening the currency crisis that is roiling more and more of the world.

Forbes

But the construction, begun a year earlier, had been prolonged by conflict; an O.S.E.

The New Yorker

The war in eastern Ukraine may well have been prolonged as a consequence.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, many parents whose lives might otherwise have been prolonged are destined to die prematurely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been prolonged", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being extended and why. This helps avoid ambiguity and adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been prolonged" in sentences where the meaning is already clear from other words. For instance, instead of saying "the already lengthy meeting has been prolonged", consider simply saying "the meeting has been prolonged" or "the meeting was already long".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been prolonged" functions as a passive verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action (prolonging) was performed on a subject in the past and continues to have relevance or effect in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been prolonged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys the idea that something has lasted longer than initially anticipated. It appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy and ensure the context clearly indicates what is being extended. Related phrases include "has been extended" and "has been protracted", which offer subtle variations in meaning. When writing, consider alternatives to prevent overuse and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been extended

Focuses on the act of making something longer, similar to prolonged but emphasizes the action of extension.

has been protracted

Implies a drawing out or lengthening, often suggesting unnecessary duration or tediousness.

has been stretched out

Suggests lengthening something, often implying that it has been made to last longer than is ideal.

has been continued

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of something's duration.

has been drawn out

Similar to protracted, but more conversational, suggesting something has been made longer than necessary.

has been sustained

Emphasizes the maintenance of something over a longer period.

has been kept going

Informal way of saying something has been maintained or continued, often with effort.

has been spun out

Suggests extending something, sometimes artificially or for a specific purpose.

has remained ongoing

Highlights that something is still in progress or continuing.

has been elongated

Similar to extended, focusing on the physical act of lengthening.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been prolonged" to describe something that has lasted longer than expected, such as "The negotiation "has been prolonged" due to disagreements".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been prolonged"?

Alternatives include "has been extended", "has been protracted", or "has been drawn out", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the delay has been prolonged for several weeks"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It indicates that the delay, which already existed, has continued for an extended period. You could also say, "The delay "has been extended for" several weeks".

What's the difference between "has been prolonged" and "was prolonged"?

"Has been prolonged" implies the action started in the past and continues to have relevance now. "Was prolonged" refers to a completed action in the past without necessarily having current relevance. For example, "The meeting has been prolonged, and we're still discussing it" versus "The meeting was prolonged, but we finally finished yesterday".