prolong by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prolong by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing extending the duration of something, such as a process or event, by a certain amount. Example: "We need to prolong the deadline by two weeks to ensure everyone has enough time to complete their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Gaspar suggested that Portugal might need another year's grace before getting its deficit below the 3% target set by the EU: It is reasonable to think that the European Commission can, at the right time, propose to the [European Union] to prolong by one year the time given to Portugal to correct its excessive budget deficit.

The Guardian - Business

Results indicate that the maximum RCF life of the treated sample prolong by 6.5 times at a Hertzian stress level of 5.1 GPa and 90% confidence level, respectively.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If only doubles were that easy in settling conflicts plagued and prolonged by hate.

The New York Times - Sports

It is being prolonged by politicians seeking to devise an end that will favour their reputations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senior citizens have had their sexual capacities indefinitely prolonged by Viagra and hip-replacement surgery.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

Of course, whether the Great Depression was really prolonged by these stories or ideas cannot be proved.

The Guardian - Business

This time around, the campaign had been prolonged by repeated delays and clashes between the electoral council and the candidates.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Compare that with now: we all live so much longer, our lives sometimes prolonged by advances in medical care.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She reached the conclusion that youth could be prolonged by changing the hormonal chemistry within our bodies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prolong by", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being extended and the specific means or factor causing the prolongation. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply stating "prolong by" is sufficient. Always clarify the direct cause or factor that contributes to the extension. For example, instead of "the meeting was prolonged by", specify "the meeting was prolonged by extensive debate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolong by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the means by which something is extended in duration. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes how something is made longer, often with an implicit cause or factor contributing to the extension. The phrase connects an action to its result of extending something in time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prolong by" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate the means through which something is extended in duration. While Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable, its frequency is rare. It finds use across diverse sources like news media and scientific publications. It's important to specify the direct cause for the extension to prevent confusion. Similar expressions include "extend by" and "lengthen by". While being a correct and understandable phrase, it's important to consider the connotation it brings in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend by

Focuses on making something longer, often in a physical or temporal sense.

lengthen by

Similar to extend, but often implies a more significant increase in length or duration.

increase by

Highlights the addition of something, whether it's time, size, or intensity.

continue by

Implies a seamless connection or continuation of an existing process.

stretch by

Suggests extending something beyond its normal or expected limits.

sustain by

Emphasizes the ability to keep something going or maintain its existence.

perpetuate by

Focuses on making something continue indefinitely, often with a negative connotation.

drag out by

Implies extending something tediously or unnecessarily.

maintain by

Focuses on keeping something in its current state or condition.

expand by

Highlights growth or increase in scope or range.

FAQs

How can I use "prolong by" in a sentence?

You can use "prolong by" to describe the act of extending the duration of something due to a specific cause. For example, "The trial was prolonged by a series of legal motions."

What phrases are similar to "prolong by"?

Similar phrases include "extend by", "lengthen by", or "increase by", each with slightly different nuances.

Is there a difference between "prolong by" and "extend by"?

While similar, "prolong by" often implies a process or situation is stretched out, whereas "extend by" can simply mean to make something longer. The nuance depends on context.

Can "prolong by" have negative connotations?

Yes, "prolong by" can suggest something is being drawn out unnecessarily or undesirably, particularly if the cause is negative (e.g., "The suffering was prolonged by the lack of medical care.").