prolonged affair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prolonged affair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or situation that lasts for an extended period of time, often with a connotation of secrecy or infidelity. Example: "Their prolonged affair lasted for several years before it was finally discovered by their spouses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Tells about th trial, a prolonged affair.

The New Yorker

Parallels can be drawn with the great recession of 2008 and 2009, the buildup to which was a prolonged affair.

The Guardian - Business

But Cristina is the one better suited for Juan Antonio, and she enters into a prolonged affair.

The New Yorker

To transfer troops from Iraq is not a likely option in the short term, as scaling back the operation there may turn out to be a rather prolonged affair.

The Guardian - Opinion

So now we have three versions of what happened in Paris 27 years ago – ranging from no sexual relationship at all, to eager participation in a prolonged affair, to assault – and all of them put forward by the same person.

The Guardian - Opinion

One issue is whether Mr. Edwards knew that some of the millions of dollars given by at least two wealthy donors was being used to help support — and hide, some contend — Rielle Hunter, the campaign videographer with whom he had a prolonged affair, and the daughter they conceived.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"U.S. dollar index bull markets tend to be prolonged affairs lasting for years with an average gain of 30%," notes Mizuho.

Forbes

The losing streak at a season high, they then lost twice more, heavy rain prolonging each affair.

Los Angeles Times

When asked earlier if his appointment of a group to study the feasibility of a grand jury investigation was a political ploy to prolong the Move affair, Mr. Castille answered, "No matter what I do, I'll be charged with politics". He said tonight that he would not comment further until the grand jury completes its work.

The New York Times

It is better to take a thoughtful and quick action rather than prolonging that secret affair which definitely in the end would be a news around.

WikiHow

Although it's been a boon for home and small business owners who can quickly install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, water heaters, and other technologies, the ITC hasn't provided comparable benefits to much larger solar power plants that could supply grid electricity to homes and businesses throughout the United States a state of affairs that may be prolonged by political bickering.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prolonged affair", be mindful of the negative connotations associated with the word "affair", which often implies infidelity or secrecy. Choose alternative phrases like "long-term relationship" or "extended involvement" if a more neutral tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "prolonged affair" to describe short-lived events. The term implies a considerable duration, so it's inappropriate for fleeting encounters or brief incidents.

Linguistic Context

Prolonged affair" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "prolonged" describes the extended duration of the noun "affair". The phrase is used to identify a relationship, often with negative connotations, that has unfolded over a considerable period, as confirmed by Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prolonged affair" is a phrase used to describe a relationship or situation that has extended over a considerable amount of time. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it functions as an adjective-noun combination and is commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, the term "affair" often carries negative connotations, so it's important to be mindful of the intended tone and context. Alternatives such as ""long-term relationship"" or "extended involvement" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance. When writing, ensure the duration and scope of the described event align with the implication of "prolonged", and consider the potential negative implications of the word "affair".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-lasting relationship

Replaces "affair" with the more general "relationship" and "prolonged" with "long-lasting", indicating a lengthy connection without the negative connotation.

lengthy relationship

Similar to "long-lasting relationship" but uses "lengthy" instead, emphasizing the duration.

extended liaison

"Liaison" suggests a connection, often romantic, and "extended" replaces "prolonged" to denote its length.

protracted romance

"Protracted" is a more formal synonym for "prolonged", and "romance" specifies a romantic relationship.

sustained involvement

"Involvement" broadens the scope beyond romantic relationships, and "sustained" implies continuous participation over time.

long-term entanglement

"Entanglement" suggests a complicated or complex relationship, and "long-term" indicates its duration.

long-running saga

Implies a series of events or a story that unfolds over a significant period, often with dramatic elements.

drawn-out matter

Shifts the context to a situation or issue that takes a long time to resolve, replacing the romantic connotation.

enduring situation

"Enduring" suggests that the situation has lasted for a long time and may continue to do so.

lingering predicament

Emphasizes that the situation is difficult or problematic and has persisted for an extended period.

FAQs

What does "prolonged affair" mean?

The phrase "prolonged affair" refers to a relationship, often romantic or secretive, that lasts for a significant amount of time.

How can I use "prolonged affair" in a sentence?

You can use "prolonged affair" to describe a long-lasting relationship. For example: "Their "prolonged affair" lasted for years before it was discovered."

What are some alternatives to "prolonged affair"?

Alternatives to "prolonged affair" include "long-term relationship", "extended liaison", or "lengthy relationship" depending on the context.

Is "prolonged affair" a formal or informal expression?

"Prolonged affair" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for news reports and analytical writing. However, be mindful of the negative connotation often associated with the word "affair".