long-drawn-out

USAGE SUMMARY

"long-drawn-out" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is prolonged or extended over a long period, often in a tedious or tiresome way. Example: The meeting turned into a long-drawn-out discussion that lasted for hours. Alternative expressions include "prolonged" and "extended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It's sooo thin and long-drawn-out.

The Guardian - Books

His long-drawn-out decision on Afghanistan mirrored that on health care.

The Economist

In 2000, the metal was still Zambia's main export, despite the mines' long-drawn-out decline.

The Economist

Coal's suffering, however, is likely to be especially long-drawn-out, for three reasons.

The Economist

But the process will still be bloody, and long-drawn-out.

The Economist

But its long-drawn-out war has still had two highly damaging consequences.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The long, drawn-out trial proceedings were marked by indecision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Filipinos are preparing for a long drawn-out political feud.

The Economist

"It's an important factor in these long, drawn-out searches.

Independent

And second, don't expect long, drawn-out negotiations.

The New York Times

"This is going to be a long, drawn-out process".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long-drawn-out" to emphasize the tedious or tiresome nature of an event or process that takes a significant amount of time. This helps convey not just the duration but also the negative impact of its length.

Common error

Avoid using "long-drawn-out" excessively in formal writing where a more neutral term like "prolonged" or "extended" might be more appropriate. This ensures a tone that is professional and avoids unnecessary negative connotations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "long-drawn-out" is as a compound adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that extends for a great period of time, often implying a sense of tedium or unnecessary length. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in contexts like "long-drawn-out affair" or "long-drawn-out process".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long-drawn-out" serves as a compound adjective used to describe something that is excessively prolonged and often tedious. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly appears in neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media. When a more formal term is required, alternatives such as ""prolonged"" or ""extended"" might be more fitting. While "long-drawn-out" effectively conveys frustration or disapproval regarding the duration of an event, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protracted

Focuses on the extension of time, often suggesting unnecessary length.

extended

Implies a greater duration than usual.

lengthy

Highlights the duration, potentially without the negative connotation.

prolonged

Suggests a continuation that might be unwelcome or unnecessary.

tedious

Emphasizes the boring and tiresome nature of something.

laborious

Stresses the effort and time required.

dragging

Implies a slow and boring progress.

overextended

Highlights that something is longer than it should be.

never-ending

Implies that something seems to have no conclusion.

interminable

Indicates something that seems to last forever, often unpleasantly.

FAQs

How can I use "long-drawn-out" in a sentence?

You can use "long-drawn-out" to describe events, processes, or discussions that are prolonged and often tedious. For example, "The negotiation became a "long-drawn-out" affair."

What are some alternatives to "long-drawn-out"?

Alternatives include "protracted", "extended", or "lengthy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "long-drawn-out" formal or informal?

"Long-drawn-out" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For very formal contexts, "prolonged" or "extended" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "long-drawn-out" and "lengthy"?

"Lengthy" simply indicates a considerable duration, while "long-drawn-out" emphasizes that the duration is excessively long and often tiresome or tedious. "Lengthy" is more neutral, while "long-drawn-out" carries a negative connotation.