prolong the process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prolong the process" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is taking too long or when you are trying to emphasize the length of time a process is taking. For example: "The team is working hard to prolong the process and make sure that everything is done properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Guatemala's judicial system is known for excessive appeals that can prolong the process indefinitely.

The New York Times

But the burden of proving a synthetic gene's safety would prolong the process.

The New York Times - Science

The group, she said, has considered filing an unfair labor practice claim, but that would only prolong the process.

The Washington Post

This will prolong the process to define the ETL processes specifications accordingly.

Procedia Computer Science

"In these circumstances, our opposition would only serve to prolong the process," Orbis said in a statement.

The New York Times

With the army needing to axe 20,000 posts because of budget cuts, commanders are pushing to downsize as quickly as possible rather than prolong the process.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Yet Pastor Hall said he believed prolonging the process is necessary.

The New York Times

Being a foreigner, they assumed I had money — and this only prolonged the process.

The New Yorker

Prolonging the process was that the three players first had to sign with their previous teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Being a foreigner, they assumed I had money and this only prolonged the process.

The New Yorker

Justice Marrus told Mr. Mineo to control himself: "This just prolongs the process".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for efficiency, avoid actions that "prolong the process". Clearly identify potential bottlenecks and streamline steps to save time and resources.

Common error

Do not introduce unnecessary steps or approvals in an effort to be thorough. This can inadvertently "prolong the process" without adding significant value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolong the process" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of extending the duration of a specific process, often implying that this extension is undesirable or unnecessary. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prolong the process" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe actions that extend the duration of a procedure or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific research, typically to express concern or criticism about unnecessary delays. When writing, remember to consider the context carefully and avoid actions that could inadvertently "prolong the process", focusing instead on efficiency and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the duration

Focuses on increasing the length of time.

delay the procedure

Highlights the aspect of postponement.

draw out the proceedings

Implies making the process more lengthy than necessary.

stretch out the timeline

Emphasizes expanding the period.

perpetuate the course

Suggests causing the process to continue indefinitely.

sustain the activity

Highlights keeping the process going.

continue the operation

Focuses on the uninterrupted continuation of the process.

maintain the momentum

Implies keeping the process active and progressing.

expand the undertaking

Focuses on making the process larger in scope or scale.

drag out the affair

Conveys a sense of tedium or unnecessary length.

FAQs

How can I use "prolong the process" in a sentence?

You can use "prolong the process" to describe actions that extend the duration of something. For example, "Unnecessary bureaucracy can "prolong the process" of obtaining permits".

What is a good alternative to "prolong the process"?

Alternatives include "extend the duration", "delay the procedure", or "draw out the proceedings". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Which is correct: "prolong the process" or "extend the process"?

Both "prolong the process" and "extend the process" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey; "prolong" often implies an undesirable lengthening.

What's the difference between "prolong the process" and "delay the process"?

"Prolong the process" suggests extending the duration, while "delay the process" means to postpone or slow down its progress. They both extend time, but in different ways.