protracted struggles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protracted struggles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe long-lasting or extended conflicts or difficulties in various contexts, such as personal challenges, social issues, or historical events. Example: "The community faced protracted struggles against poverty and inequality for many years before significant changes were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision have had protracted struggles with the various networks that carry the region's professional teams, so the idea that they will automatically decide to add the Big Ten Network currently a premium channel to their basic cable slates seems far-fetched.

The New Yorker

Tells about the protracted struggles in Congress over the bill during 1964.

The New Yorker

After protracted struggles, one of these contenders, Valdemar I (the Great), was acknowledged as the sole king in 1157.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Egypt and Tunisia, where the speed of revolutions contrasts with the bloody, protracted struggles in Bahrain, Yemen, Libya and Syria, the military proved decisive as an institution that could navigate a transition.

The New York Times

In the years following World War II, scores of new states arose, many of them following protracted struggles of national liberation from European powers attempting to maintain their colonial positions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The only problems are that its price was not quite as plain and ordinary as its appearance implies, while protracted struggles to find a new use after the Games suggest that it is not as adaptable as all that.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

By and large, though, the story of imperial warfare in the period before World War II was of protracted struggle leading to pacification and quiescence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Khatami was finally sworn in on Wednesday, but he faces a protracted struggle with conservative clerics who have the institutional power to cripple his boldest initiatives.

The New York Times

Mr. Davis said a visit to the devastation of the World Trade Center played a role in his resolve to step down without delay, sparing Lincoln Center a protracted struggle.

The New York Times - Arts

For this younger generation of Vietnam scholars, the key to North Vietnam's success against the United States was a concept known as Dau Tranh, or protracted struggle.

The New York Times

Nine-tenths of the world's schistosomiasis sufferers live in Africa and studies have shown the disease leaves sufferers more susceptible to HIV infection.A protracted struggle beckons on the shores of Poyang and China's other big lakes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "protracted struggles" when you want to emphasize the length and difficulty of a conflict or effort. It implies a long-term and challenging situation.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted struggles" to describe minor disagreements or brief difficulties. Reserve it for situations involving significant duration and effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "protracted struggles" functions as a noun phrase, where "protracted" modifies the noun "struggles". Ludwig AI confirms this usage with various examples demonstrating its role in describing extended conflicts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "protracted struggles" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe long-lasting and difficult conflicts. Ludwig AI shows it appears most frequently in news and encyclopedia sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, it is best to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely involve significant duration and effort. Alternatives like "long-lasting conflicts" or "extended battles" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protracted battles

A direct synonym, replacing "struggles" with "battles" to emphasize conflict.

drawn-out conflicts

Similar to "long-lasting conflicts", but emphasizes the dragging or wearying nature of the conflicts.

long-lasting conflicts

Emphasizes the duration of the conflicts but may not fully capture the intensity or difficulty implied by "struggles".

extended battles

Focuses on the combative aspect and duration but might not always apply to non-violent struggles.

lingering conflicts

Focuses on the persistence and slow resolution of the conflicts.

prolonged hardships

Highlights the difficulties and suffering involved, potentially omitting the active effort implied by "struggles".

enduring difficulties

Stresses the lasting nature of the difficulties rather than the active fight against them.

lengthy ordeals

Highlights the challenging and testing nature of the experiences, possibly more intense than "struggles".

ongoing contentions

Emphasizes disagreement and dispute over time.

sustained campaigns

Implies an organized and ongoing effort, which might not always be present in all uses of "protracted struggles".

FAQs

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

You can use "protracted struggles" to describe lengthy and difficult conflicts. For example, "The nation faced "protracted struggles" for independence."

What are some alternatives to "protracted struggles"?

Alternatives include "long-lasting conflicts", "extended battles", or "prolonged hardships", depending on the specific context.

Is "protracted struggles" formal or informal?

"Protracted struggles" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.

What makes a struggle "protracted"?

A struggle is considered "protracted" when it extends over a considerable period, often involving sustained effort, resistance, or difficulty. It implies that the resolution is not immediate or easily achieved.