laborious and protracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laborious and protracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or process that is both difficult and takes a long time to complete. Example: "The negotiations were laborious and protracted, lasting several months before an agreement was finally reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Ching said Sotheby's had spent six months in a "laborious and protracted process" trying to set up the venture.

The New York Times

However, traditionally this approach has suffered from the laborious and protracted process of mapping mutations at the molecular level.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Exit negotiations could be complicated and protracted.

The Guardian

He described the inquiries as long, complex and protracted.

Independent

Unnecessary drama and protracted dance sequences?

Huffington Post

His recovery was slow and protracted.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Dental care can be challenging and protracted.

Human Molecular Genetics

ARDS is a condition characterized by excessive and protracted inflammation.

Critical Care

The maturation process of anadromous salmonids is complex and protracted.

Evolutionary Applications

Licensing is even more complicated and protracted.

Forbes

Often, it can only advance by gradual and protracted means.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laborious and protracted", ensure the context genuinely warrants such strong terms; save them for situations involving significant effort and extended duration. Overuse can dilute the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "laborious and protracted" for tasks that are merely time-consuming or slightly difficult. Reserve this phrase for endeavors that are both exceptionally demanding in effort and significantly extended in duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laborious and protracted" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe a process or task. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing something that requires significant effort and extends over a considerable time. Examples show it modifying words like "process" or "negotiations".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laborious and protracted" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe processes or tasks that are both difficult and lengthy. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "arduous and lengthy" or "difficult and extended". When using this phrase, be mindful of its formal tone and ensure it accurately reflects the scale of effort and time involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous and lengthy

Replaces "laborious" with "arduous" and "protracted" with "lengthy", both synonyms that maintain the sense of difficulty and duration, respectively.

difficult and extended

Focuses on the difficulty and duration aspects, simplifying the language while retaining the core meaning.

tedious and prolonged

Substitutes "laborious" with "tedious" to highlight the monotonous nature and "protracted" with "prolonged" to maintain the sense of extended time.

complex and time-consuming

Emphasizes the intricacy and the significant time investment involved.

grueling and drawn-out

Uses "grueling" to underscore the exhausting nature and "drawn-out" to suggest a process that takes longer than expected.

demanding and lingering

Highlights the high demands of the task and its tendency to persist or remain longer than desired.

strenuous and sustained

Focuses on the effort required and the continuous nature of the activity.

toilsome and lingering

Replaces "laborious" with "toilsome" to emphasize the hard work involved and "protracted" with "lingering" to convey the idea of something that lasts longer than desired.

tough and lengthy

Uses simpler language to convey the difficulty and duration.

challenging and enduring

Highlights the challenging aspect and the need to withstand or last through the process.

FAQs

How can I use "laborious and protracted" in a sentence?

You can use "laborious and protracted" to describe a process or task that requires significant effort and extends over a considerable period, such as "The negotiations were a "laborious and protracted" affair, lasting several months."

What are some alternatives to "laborious and protracted"?

Alternatives include "arduous and lengthy", "difficult and extended", or "tedious and prolonged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "laborious and protracted" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "laborious and protracted" is quite formal. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "difficult and long" or "tough and drawn-out" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "laborious and protracted" and "difficult and long"?

"Laborious and protracted" suggests a higher degree of effort and a more significant duration than "difficult and long". The former is better suited for describing truly challenging and extended undertakings.