may be prolonged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be prolonged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of extending a duration or time frame for something. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project timeline may be prolonged."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A union official said: "We realise that this dispute may be prolonged.

The Guardian

But barring a huge government program, the housing decline may be prolonged and bitter for nearly all involved.

The New York Times

A staffer in Korea said that Mr. Chung was in Los Angeles, adding, "His stay there may be prolonged".

The New York Times

"The present drought may be prolonged twenty or more years," declared the survey expert.

The New York Times

It may be prolonged into the neck (spinalis cervicis) and head (spinalis capitis).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This state usually lasts for minutes to days but may be prolonged for months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unless the West develops an enduring and resilient strategy toward Russia, the deterioration in ties may be prolonged.

The New York Times

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the decision was taken because the dispute over the role of conductors and driver-only trains may be prolonged.

The Guardian

"The slowdown may be prolonged," Mr. Tanaka told reporters on Monday in Paris, where the energy agency, which advises industrialized countries, is based.

The New York Times

Anticyclones are responsible for periods of little or no rain, and such periods may be prolonged in association with blocking highs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Postoperative facial swelling after orthognathic surgery may be prolonged and of concern in some patients.

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be prolonged", consider the context and whether a more precise term like "extended", "lengthened", or "protracted" would be more appropriate.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "may be prolonged" in informal settings can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "might take longer" or "could last longer" in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be prolonged" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for extension in duration. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be prolonged" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying a possibility of extended duration. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, conveying uncertainty and potential extension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive verb phrase is correct and versatile, though users should consider more precise synonyms like "extended" or "lengthened" depending on context and audience. While widely accepted, the phrase's formality may warrant simpler alternatives in casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be extended

Replaces "may" with "might", softening the level of certainty while retaining the core meaning of lengthening duration.

could be lengthened

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating possibility and "prolonged" with "lengthened", a more direct synonym.

potentially be stretched out

Uses "stretched out" instead of "prolonged", implying the extension is beyond what's typical or comfortable.

conceivably be protracted

Employs "protracted", a more formal synonym for "prolonged", suggesting a drawn-out and potentially undesirable extension.

possibly be continued

Replaces "prolonged" with "continued", focusing on the act of not stopping rather than extending.

be subject to extension

Shifts the focus to the possibility of extension being imposed or applied to something.

risk being extended

Highlights the potential negative consequence of a duration becoming longer, often unintentionally.

is susceptible to prolongation

Uses a more formal and technical vocabulary to indicate a vulnerability to being extended.

is liable to be prolonged

Indicates a legal or formal responsibility for a duration being lengthened.

has the potential to be prolonged

Emphasizes the latent possibility of extension, without necessarily implying it will happen.

FAQs

How can I use "may be prolonged" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be prolonged" indicates a possibility that something will last longer than initially expected. For instance, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the construction schedule "may be prolonged"".

What are some alternatives to "may be prolonged"?

You can use alternatives like "might be extended", "could be lengthened", or "potentially be stretched out" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "might be prolonged" instead of "may be prolonged"?

Yes, "might be prolonged" is a valid alternative. Both "may" and "might" express possibility, but "might" sometimes suggests a slightly lower probability.

What's the difference between "may be prolonged" and "will be prolonged"?

"May be prolonged" indicates a possibility, while "will be prolonged" expresses a definite expectation or certainty that something will last longer. Therefore, it's important to choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty.