prolonged exposure to

USAGE SUMMARY

"prolonged exposure to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to talk about being exposed to something for a long period of time, often with negative effects. For example: - Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage your hearing. - The doctor warned me about prolonged exposure to sunlight without sunscreen. - She developed a skin rash due to prolonged exposure to an allergen. - The study showed that prolonged exposure to social media can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most cases are linked to sunburn or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

The Guardian

Warning: prolonged exposure to comments sections can cause sustained health problems.

The Guardian

DuPont declined to comment on its workers' potentially prolonged exposure to the gas.

The Guardian - Business

Most species prefer a bright but indirect light source, as prolonged exposure to direct sun in summer can scorch leaves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What's not explained, of course, is that prolonged exposure to Internet flame wars will no doubt drive you crazy.

TechCrunch

Upon prolonged exposure to X-rays, Cu2+ is reduced to Cu+ [151].

Heritage Science

Moreover, prolonged exposure to nickel may result in genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity [2].

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Development of broad HIV neutralizing antibodies during infection requires prolonged exposure to viral variants.

Cell

However, prolonged exposure to the well influenced overall activity, orientation, and preference for the edge region.

Behavioural Processes

The goal: to acknowledge the physical and psychological damage occasioned by participants' prolonged exposure to violence and help them cope.

Huffington Post

These cells subsequently lysed following prolonged exposure to DOX.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential health risks, be specific about the substance or condition causing harm from the "prolonged exposure to" it. For example, specify "prolonged exposure to asbestos" rather than just saying "prolonged exposure".

Common error

Avoid vague or ambiguous subjects following "prolonged exposure to". Clearly state what is causing the effect. For example, instead of "prolonged exposure can be harmful", specify "prolonged exposure to UV radiation can be harmful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolonged exposure to" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of being subjected to something for an extended duration. As Ludwig AI explains, this often has negative effects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

60%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prolonged exposure to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote being subjected to something over an extended period, often with negative consequences. Ludwig AI validates its usability, and its prevalence is observed across diverse sources, particularly in news and scientific contexts. While its function is primarily descriptive, this phrase is used to highlight potential risks, as you can see in examples discussing "prolonged exposure to sunlight" or "prolonged exposure to loud noises". When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of exposure to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chronic exposure to

Highlights the long-lasting and persistent nature of the exposure, suggesting a continuing condition.

sustained contact with

Focuses on maintaining constant physical interaction with something.

extended contact with

Focuses on physical interaction over a long duration, rather than a broader concept of being subjected to something.

continuous contact with

Highlights the unbroken, uninterrupted nature of the physical interaction.

consistent contact with

Emphasizes the regular and reliable nature of the physical interaction.

long-term contact with

Emphasizes the extended duration of the physical interaction.

lengthy subjection to

Emphasizes being under the power or control of something for an extended period, suggesting a lack of agency.

protracted contact with

Underscores the drawn-out or extended nature of the interaction.

extensive contact with

Focuses on the large amount of physical contact with something.

repeated contact with

Stresses the iterative nature of the contact, implying multiple instances rather than continuous duration.

FAQs

How can I use "prolonged exposure to" in a sentence?

Use "prolonged exposure to" when describing a situation where someone or something is subjected to a particular condition or substance for a considerable amount of time. For example, "prolonged exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer".

What are some alternatives to "prolonged exposure to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "chronic exposure to", "extended contact with", or "lengthy subjection to" as alternatives to "prolonged exposure to".

Is it correct to say "prolonged exposure of" instead of "prolonged exposure to"?

While "prolonged exposure" can be followed by "of" in some contexts, "prolonged exposure to" is generally more common and natural when indicating what is being exposed. For instance, "prolonged exposure to radiation" is preferred over "prolonged exposure of radiation".

What are the common consequences of "prolonged exposure to" certain elements?

The consequences of "prolonged exposure to" various elements depend on the specific element. For instance, "prolonged exposure to loud noise can lead to hearing loss, while "prolonged exposure to violence can result in psychological trauma".