keep dragging on

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep dragging on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is continuing or lasting for a long time. For example: "The meeting never seemed to end. It just kept dragging on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"This will keep dragging on," said Representative Eliot L. Engel, a Democrat who represents the Bronx and Westchester.

The New York Times - Sports

When asked if Liverpool's failure to win in front of their own supporters in the league had been a source of worry, Rodgers added: "You don't want it to keep dragging on.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We're going to be entering a counterproductive phase in this primary if it keeps dragging on," Mr. Ryan said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

"We're going to be entering a counterproductive phase in this primary if it keeps dragging on," Mr. Ryan said in an interview, urging his party to rally behind Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

"But it just kept dragging on and on".

The New York Times

Wrestling with the scarf from her shalwar kameez, which keeps dragging on the ground, Shopsin is far too practical to suffer for the sake of authenticity.

The New York Times - Books

The first is that the bank is getting a bargain compared to what dozens of lawsuits would cost if they kept dragging on, not to mention the damage that would be inflicted on its stock price if the Justice Department decided to sue.

The Guardian - Business

The strangest thing about Hiddleswift is the way it keeps dragging on, which makes me wonder if the "real" and the "fake" are overlapping in such a way that Tom finds himself looking in the mirror and splashing water on his ever-more drawn face several times daily, repeating "If this is a dream, I'm going to wake up," and never, ever waking up.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That keeps dragging in more people".

The New York Times

If the IT industry keeps dragging its feet on moving to IPv6, a new address system that uses many more numbers, the growth of the internet of things will be stymied.Space is also bound to get tight in the ether.

The Economist

Currents kept dragging Sustento underwater.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep dragging on", consider whether a more concise alternative can convey the same meaning more effectively. For instance, instead of "The negotiations keep dragging on", you might say "The negotiations are prolonged".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in overly passive constructions. Instead of "The issue was kept dragging on by the committee", opt for a more direct and active construction like "The committee kept dragging on the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dragging on" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically indicating the prolongation or continuation of an event or situation, often implying a sense of tedium or unwanted extension. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep dragging on" is a phrasal verb that expresses the undesirable continuation of something, often implying tedium or frustration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not highly formal, it's commonly found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, consider more concise alternatives or avoiding overly passive constructions. Alternatives such as ""go on for too long"" or ""draw out unnecessarily"" can sometimes offer a more precise or impactful way to express the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drag on and on

Emphasizes the repetitive and tedious nature of the prolongation.

go on for too long

Directly states the excessive duration.

draw out unnecessarily

Highlights the unnecessary lengthening of something.

extend needlessly

Focuses on the superfluous extending of something.

continue unnecessarily

Focuses on the lack of necessity in the continuation.

persist needlessly

Highlights the lack of need for persistence.

prolong unduly

Focuses on the inappropriateness of the prolongation.

linger longer than required

Emphasizes exceeding the necessary duration.

spin out

Indicates a process that is extended for longer than is efficient or desirable.

stretch out indefinitely

Implies a lack of a clear end point and a continuous extension.

FAQs

How can I use "keep dragging on" in a sentence?

You can use "keep dragging on" to describe something that is taking longer than expected or desired. For example, "The meeting is "going on for too long" and just keeps dragging on".

What does "keep dragging on" mean?

"Keep dragging on" means that something is continuing for an extended and often tedious period. It suggests a lack of progress or resolution.

What can I say instead of "keep dragging on"?

Alternatives to "keep dragging on" include "continue unnecessarily", "go on for too long", or "draw out unnecessarily" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "keep dragging on" or "continues"?

While both are grammatically correct, "keep dragging on" implies a more negative connotation of something lasting longer than desired and becoming tedious. "Continues" is a more neutral term.