protracted period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protracted period" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It describes a prolonged or extended period of time. Example: The negotiations between the two countries have been ongoing for a protracted period of six months, with no resolution in sight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This protracted period from concept to publication is further exacerbated by the slow and limited uptake of research findings into practice.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

This protracted period of myelin development has recently been confirmed by Sowell et al. (2003) in a large imaging study.

Cerebral Cortex

The filing comes after a protracted period of uncertainty.

The New York Times

It's going through a protracted period of insecurity.

Independent

He foresees instead a protracted period of chaotic realignments.

The Economist

Ms. Spencer-Wendel then entered a protracted period of denial.

The New York Times - Health

He rarely leaves the city for a protracted period, aides say.

The New York Times

He said they were again left without clothes or treatment for a protracted period.

The Guardian

Last month, I wrote about Nicki Minaj's protracted period of desperation and dearth of quality songs.

The New Yorker

But most of us face a much less predictable end, or a protracted period of dementia.

The New York Times

"We could be in for a protracted period of uncertainty, which would not be helpful, either".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "protracted period", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or situation is being extended. Provide specific details to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted period" to describe short durations. The term implies a significant and often unexpectedly long length of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "protracted period" functions as a noun phrase, where "protracted" modifies the noun "period". It specifies the nature of the period, indicating that it is extended or prolonged. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "protracted period" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an extended duration, particularly one that is longer than expected. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely accepted in written English. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being extended. While there are alternatives such as "lengthy duration" or "extended timeframe", "protracted period" carries a specific nuance of unexpected or undesirable length. Avoid misusing it to describe short durations or to make your phrasing seem awkward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy duration

Replaces "protracted" with "lengthy", emphasizing the considerable length of time.

extended timeframe

Substitutes "period" with "timeframe", offering a slightly more formal tone and highlighting the temporal aspect.

prolonged interval

Replaces "period" with "interval", suggesting a specific segment of time that is extended.

drawn-out phase

Uses "drawn-out" to convey the sense of something being stretched or prolonged, and "phase" instead of "period".

long-lasting stretch

Emphasizes the continuous and enduring nature of the period using "long-lasting" and substitutes period with "stretch".

sustained spell

Replaces "protracted" with "sustained", implying a continuous and maintained duration, and substitutes period with "spell".

chronic phase

Uses "chronic" to indicate something that continues or recurs for a long time, especially a disease or condition, and phase instead of period.

long-term phase

Highlights that it is a phase that lasts for a long time.

extensive span

Substitutes "period" with "span", focusing on the range or extent of time.

continuous stretch

Replaces "protracted" with "continuous", emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the time and substitutes period with "stretch".

FAQs

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

Use "protracted period" to describe an event or situation that lasts longer than expected. For example, "The negotiations entered a "protracted period" of deadlock."

What's the difference between "protracted period" and "long period"?

"Protracted period" implies that the duration is longer than what was initially anticipated or desired. "Long period" simply indicates an extended duration without necessarily implying unexpectedness.

Which is more formal, "protracted period" or "long period"?

"Protracted period" is generally considered more formal and is often used in professional and academic contexts, while "long period" is more neutral and can be used in a wider range of situations.

What are some alternatives to "protracted period"?

Alternatives to "protracted period" include "lengthy duration", "extended timeframe", or "prolonged interval", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.