time is dragging

USAGE SUMMARY

"time is dragging" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which time feels as though it is passing slowly. For example, you might say, "The hours are dragging by as I wait for my test results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But time is dragging.

The Economist

Although these are tragedies, the real tragedy is that time is dragging on.

The Guardian - Books

The city's mayor, John Roberts, said: "It's been a very, very long six months for some people because they've been out of their homes and they are still out of their homes in some cases until September, possibly October, and I think time is dragging.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Father Greeley, a vibrant 80 at the time, was dragged along the ground and sustained a substantial brain injury.

The New York Times

He certainly suffered for his artlessness, and fought in the Garden three times, being dragged inauspiciously to his corner unconscious in the first round on his debut, against Knute Hansen, in an elimination bout to challenge the world heavyweight champion Gene Tunney.

The Guardian - Sport

And certainly the lack of youth in full-time work is dragging down the overall figures, but the picture for those prime-aged workers is not real flash either.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, it will likely do little to ease political tensions at a time when North Korea is dragging in meeting its commitments to fully disclose its nuclear programs.

Forbes

If you feel at any time that your speech is dragging on, ensure you do not read directly from the paper and begin to speak from the heart.

WikiHow

"This is a regressive move that militates against the judiciary's salutary intervention towards decriminalisation of politics at a time when the political class is dragging its feet on long-delayed electoral reforms," says The New Indian Express.

BBC

Be sure to hold the mouse button the entire time you are dragging the cross hairs.

WikiHow

"I think the Church of England is going to go through a very difficult and miserable time as it is dragged through the courts of Strasbourg.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time is dragging" to describe situations where boredom, anticipation, or discomfort make time feel subjectively slower. For example, "The meeting was so dull, time was dragging."

Common error

While "time is dragging" is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts, it might sound too colloquial or subjective for formal reports or academic papers. Consider using more precise language to describe the cause of the perceived slowness, such as "progress is slow" or "the process is lengthy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time is dragging" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the subjective perception of time passing slowly. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct phrase to describe situations where time feels like it's moving at a snail's pace.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time is dragging" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to express that time feels like it's passing slowly. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a usable phrase in written English. While acceptable in neutral contexts like news or general conversation, it might be too informal for formal writing or academic reports. Consider alternative phrases like "time crawls" or "the hours creep by" to convey a similar sentiment. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki articles, but avoid overusing it in professional scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time crawls

Emphasizes the slow and almost torturous pace of time.

the hours creep by

Focuses on the slow progression of hours, suggesting boredom or anticipation.

time hangs heavy

Indicates that time feels burdensome and oppressive.

the clock ticks endlessly

Highlights the monotonous and seemingly never-ending passage of time.

minutes stretch on

Suggests that even short periods of time feel extended and drawn out.

time stagnates

Implies that time is not progressing as it should, leading to a sense of stagnation.

the day lingers

Similar to "time hangs heavy", with more emphasis on tedious and sluggish days

time inches forward

Conveys a sense of time moving very slowly and deliberately, often with difficulty.

the wait feels eternal

Exaggerates the length of a waiting period, making it seem endless.

time moves at a snail's pace

Uses a simile to emphasize the extreme slowness of time.

FAQs

How can I use "time is dragging" in a sentence?

You can use "time is dragging" to describe a situation where time feels like it's passing very slowly, often due to boredom or impatience. For example: "Waiting for the test results, "time is dragging"."

What's an alternative to saying "time is dragging"?

Alternatives include "time crawls", "the hours creep by", or "time hangs heavy". These phrases all convey the feeling of time passing slowly.

Is "time is dragging on" different from "time is dragging"?

The phrases "time is dragging" and "time is dragging on" are very similar in meaning and can be used interchangeably. The addition of "on" doesn't significantly change the sense that time is passing slowly and tediously.

When is it appropriate to use "time is dragging"?

It's suitable to use "time is dragging" in informal settings or personal narratives when you want to express your subjective experience of time passing slowly. It might not be appropriate for formal or technical writing where more precise language is expected.