prolonged period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'prolonged period' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a prolonged length of time, such as a period of months or even years. For example, "The company had been in financial difficulty for a prolonged period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like winning, for a prolonged period.

The New York Times - Sports

A prolonged period of low prices would slow growth.

The New York Times

"We need a prolonged period of cool and wet weather".

The New York Times

It also needs a prolonged period of exchange rate stability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Liking someone for a prolonged period of time is hard.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was no struggle, no prolonged period of labored breathing.

The New York Times

There will be a prolonged period of coexistence.

Harvard Business Review

If he is out for a prolonged period, the Lakers' playoff hopes could be severely damaged.

The New York Times - Sports

For them, it will at the very least deliver a prolonged period of uncertainty.

The Guardian

"We wanted to know what the cardiac activity was over a prolonged period".

The New York Times

Greece faces a deep recession this year and a prolonged period of great economic difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or phenomena, use "prolonged period" to indicate that the observed pattern has persisted for a significant duration. For example: "The city experienced a "prolonged period" of economic growth."

Common error

Avoid using "prolonged period" when a simpler term like "long time" or "extended duration" would be more concise and equally effective. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolonged period" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement, direct object, or prepositional complement. It describes the extent of time associated with a particular state, event, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prolonged period" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a significant duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, especially news, business, and scientific writing. When using "prolonged period", remember to consider whether simpler alternatives like "extended duration" might be more appropriate. While it's grammatically correct, avoid overuse. Top sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the phrase, demonstrating its reliability in authoritative contexts. Use "prolonged period" when you specifically want to emphasize that a length of time has importance or consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended timeframe

Similar to "extended duration" but focusing on a specific, measurable timeframe.

extended duration

This alternative focuses on the length of time, emphasizing the duration aspect.

protracted time

"Protracted" directly conveys the idea of something being lengthened or extended.

lengthy spell

This option uses "spell" to denote a period, implying a continuous stretch of time.

extended phase

This term emphasizes that the "prolonged period" is a phase or stage within a larger process.

sustained timeframe

The emphasis here is on the continuous and maintained nature of the period.

long-lasting interval

This stresses the enduring nature of the period and uses a more formal term, "interval".

significant timeframe

This variation highlights the importance or impact of the period.

drawn-out stretch

This alternative highlights the extended and sometimes tedious nature of the period.

long haul

An idiomatic expression emphasizing endurance over a long duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "prolonged period" to describe an extended duration of time, such as: "The company faced a "prolonged period" of financial difficulty."

What are some alternatives to "prolonged period"?

Some alternatives include "extended duration", "lengthy spell", or "protracted time", depending on the context.

Is "prolonged period" formal or informal?

"Prolonged period" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in various contexts, including professional and academic writing.

What's the difference between "prolonged period" and "long time"?

"Prolonged period" suggests a more significant or impactful duration than "long time", implying that the length of time has specific consequences or importance.