protracted ordeal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protracted ordeal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a long and difficult experience or situation that someone has gone through. Example: "The negotiations turned into a protracted ordeal, lasting several months and testing everyone's patience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For Kenneth D. Lewis, the former chairman and soon to be former chief executive of Bank of America, the days and months ahead will be a protracted ordeal.

Forbes

It was a "protracted ordeal", said Susannah Clapp in the Observer.

The Guardian

His lawyer, Amal Clooney, welcomed the decision to correct "a long-standing injustice" but said her client had endured a protracted ordeal.

The Guardian

"If he had continued to contest the election and drawn it into a protracted ordeal," said Ed Mullins, chairman of the journalism department at the University of Alabama, "the Democratic Party would have looked like the party of sour grapes".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Anya's life has been irreparably marked by her protracted ordeals with an abusive husband, the criminal courts, the police, and social services.

Vice

Khazali was freed this month from the US detention centre Camp Cropper, in western Baghdad, further raising expectations that Britain's most protracted hostage ordeal since Terry Waite was captured in Beirut 25 years ago would soon end.

The Guardian

But prosecutors said Mr. Ross was faking mental illness and had repeatedly changed his story, subjecting the victims' families to a protracted legal ordeal.

The New York Times

"Their ordeal was then protracted for seven months, accompanied by further leaks to the news media.

Independent

A protracted silence.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are also protracted.

The Economist

Conflicts are becoming more protracted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "protracted ordeal", ensure the context clearly establishes the length and difficulty of the experience being described. For instance, specify the duration or the challenges faced during the ordeal to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted ordeal" for minor inconveniences or short-lived difficulties. This phrase implies a significantly long and burdensome experience, not just a fleeting problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "protracted ordeal" functions as a noun phrase, where "protracted" is an adjective modifying the noun "ordeal". Ludwig's examples show that it typically describes a difficult or unpleasant situation that lasts for an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "protracted ordeal" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe a difficult experience that extends over a considerable duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "lengthy ordeal" or "drawn-out ordeal" offer similar meanings, "protracted ordeal" succinctly conveys the dual aspects of difficulty and duration. When employing this phrase, ensure the context appropriately reflects a genuinely burdensome and lengthy experience. The phrase is not very frequent, but common authoritative sources are found using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy ordeal

This alternative replaces "protracted" with "lengthy", emphasizing the duration of the ordeal.

drawn-out ordeal

This alternative replaces "protracted" with "drawn-out", highlighting the extended nature of the ordeal.

protracted suffering

Uses "suffering" instead of "ordeal", highlighting the emotional and physical pain.

extended suffering

This alternative shifts from "ordeal" to "suffering", emphasizing the pain and distress involved.

prolonged hardship

This alternative replaces "ordeal" with "hardship", conveying a sense of severe difficulty and deprivation.

lengthy tribulation

Replaces "ordeal" with "tribulation", emphasizing the difficult and testing nature of the experience.

long-lasting tribulation

This alternative replaces both words to denote a long-term period of distress or suffering.

enduring torment

This alternative focuses on the sustained nature of the suffering or torment.

ongoing struggle

Shifts the focus to an active "struggle" that is continuing over time.

never-ending nightmare

Emphasizes the extremely unpleasant and seemingly unending nature of the experience.

FAQs

What does "protracted ordeal" mean?

A "protracted ordeal" refers to a difficult or painful experience that lasts for a long time. The word "protracted" emphasizes the extended duration, while "ordeal" highlights the severity and unpleasantness of the situation.

How can I use "protracted ordeal" in a sentence?

You can use "protracted ordeal" to describe any situation that is both difficult and lengthy, such as "The legal battle became a "protracted ordeal" for the family" or "His recovery from the accident was a "protracted ordeal"".

What are some alternatives to "protracted ordeal"?

Some alternatives to "protracted ordeal" include "lengthy ordeal", "drawn-out ordeal", "extended suffering", or "prolonged hardship".

Is "protracted ordeal" formal or informal?

"Protracted ordeal" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news reporting and literature. It maintains a neutral tone and is easily understood across different audiences.