protracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is prolonged or extended in time, often referring to a situation or process that takes longer than expected. Example: "The negotiations were protracted, lasting several months before an agreement was finally reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps even more worrying to Mr. Assad, his military has come to rely more heavily on equipment designed for a major battle with a foreign enemy, namely Israel, rather than a protracted civil conflict with his own people.

The New York Times

This is an odyssey in the originalsense of the word – protracted, circuitous, not necessarily bound to end.

The Guardian

Now, that job is made all the harder if we have years of grinding uncertainty because of an ill-defined, protracted renegotiation of Britain's status within the European Union.

The Guardian

It should not be as long and protracted a leadership campaign as in 2010, and thanks to Ed Miliband it will be the first to be conducted under a genuine one member, one vote procedure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Icac said the decision had the potential to involve the state and the commission in "costly and protracted litigation involving persons who have been the subject of corrupt conduct findings based on investigations conducted under section 8(2), and will affect current litigation involving such findings".

The Guardian

We had submitted our offer to acquire Valencia in December 2013 and did not expect that it is a long and protracted one.

The Guardian - Sport

But my understanding is that this is what miners always do, even if not so protracted and extreme.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obama's re-election team, based in Chicago, watched with glee, hopeful that the disunity on display and a protracted, energy-sapping campaign will work to their advantage.

The Guardian

The protracted standoff between Athens and the European Union and IMF – the bodies that have bailed out the country to the tune of €240bn since 2010 – has brought Tsipras to this point.

The Guardian

Then there's legal loan sharks and rip-off loan firms – those great beneficiaries from Britain's protracted collapse in living standards – like Everyday Loans, run by Tory donor Henry Angest.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was the Mississippi primary result that attracted most attention, after the battle became the most closely fought and protracted of any Republican Senate primary, sucking time, energy and money from both Tea Party and establishment factions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "protracted", ensure the context clearly indicates that the duration is longer than what is typical or expected. This highlights the word's descriptive power and avoids redundancy.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted" when simply referring to something that is long. "Protracted" implies an unusual or unwelcome extension of time beyond normal expectations, not just length.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "protracted" primarily functions as a modifier, describing a noun to indicate that something is lasting longer than expected. It is often used to characterize events, processes, or disputes that have an extended duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound and clearly understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "protracted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe something that lasts longer than expected. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability, highlighting its common usage across various news, business, and formal contexts. It's crucial to recognize that the term implies an unusual or unwelcome extension of time, making it distinct from merely describing something as "long". To achieve clarity and impact, be mindful of this distinction when using "protracted" in writing. As Ludwig shows, numerous reliable sources employ it effectively in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended

Indicates something made longer, either in space or time; maintains a high degree of interchangeability.

prolonged

Implies an extension in time, often suggesting a deliberate effort to lengthen something.

lengthy

Refers to considerable length, primarily in time; similar in direct application.

drawn-out

Suggests that something has been unnecessarily lengthened, implying tedium or difficulty.

lingering

Implies a slow disappearance or end, often carrying a slightly negative connotation of unwanted continuation.

long-lasting

Indicates durability and continuation over a significant time.

enduring

Suggests steadfastness and resilience over a long period, often applied to positive or impressive situations.

sustained

Emphasizes the continuation of something at a consistent level over time.

dragged out

Signifies an overly long and often tedious extension of something, more informal and negative.

never-ending

Denotes seeming infiniteness, exaggerating the duration beyond normal expectation.

FAQs

How is "protracted" used in a sentence?

The word "protracted" typically describes something that lasts longer than expected or is prolonged. For example, "The negotiations were a "protracted" affair, lasting several weeks".

What are some alternatives to "protracted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lengthy", "extended", or "prolonged" as substitutes for "protracted".

What does "protracted" mean?

The word "protracted" means lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual. It often implies that something has been drawn out, sometimes unnecessarily.

Is it appropriate to describe a short delay as "protracted"?

No, using "protracted" to describe a short delay would be incorrect. The term implies a significant and often unwelcome extension of time. A more appropriate word for a short delay might be "brief" or "momentary".