will be protracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be protracted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is expected to be prolonged or extended in duration. Example: "The negotiations will be protracted due to differing opinions." Alternative expressions include "will be extended" and "will be prolonged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

That alone suggests they will be protracted.

Independent

"Negotiations will be protracted," he said.

The Guardian

"This investigation will be protracted," Mr. Forrest said.

The New York Times

No matter how friendly Iran suddenly appears, any talks will be protracted and theatrical.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Brexit negotiations will be protracted, so businesses will hold off committing to major capital expenditure for a long time to come".

The Guardian - Business

In the meantime mining companies have been closing pits, shedding jobs and consolidating, especially in the least efficient mining areas of central Appalachia (West Virginia and Kentucky).The decline of coal, though, will be protracted.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It will probably be protracted – and is expected to take several months.

The Guardian

The train terminal is more than 100 years old, and repairs will probably be protracted.

The Guardian

But with several companies involved in the drilling rig that caused the spill, including the rig's owner, Transocean, there will most likely be protracted legal battles that will determine who actually owes whom for what.

The New York Times

Those matters will be the subject of what are expected to be protracted negotiations.

The New York Times

But legal processes can be protracted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be protracted" when you want to emphasize that a process, negotiation, or situation is expected to last longer than initially anticipated or desired. This phrase often implies complexity or resistance that contributes to the extended duration.

Common error

Avoid using "will be protracted" to describe events that are inherently short or expected to be resolved quickly. It's best suited for situations involving complex negotiations, lengthy investigations, or drawn-out conflicts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be protracted" functions as a future tense construction used to predict or anticipate that something will last for an extended period. It often implies complexity or difficulty, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "Brexit negotiations will be protracted."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will be protracted" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is expected to last for an extended duration, often due to inherent complexities or difficulties. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether the context aligns with its implication of a potentially troublesome and drawn-out process. If a simpler or more direct expression of duration is sufficient, alternatives like "will take a long time" or ""will be long"" might be more appropriate. Overall, "will be protracted" is a useful phrase for conveying the anticipation of a lengthy and possibly challenging process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will take a long time

Focuses on the duration of the process.

will be lengthy

Emphasizes the considerable length of the duration.

will be prolonged

Highlights the extension of something beyond its expected duration.

will extend over a long period

Specifically indicates a considerable duration.

will drag on

Suggests a slow and possibly tedious continuation.

will stretch out

Implies an expansion of time beyond what is desired or expected.

will be time-consuming

Focuses on the amount of time required to complete the task.

will go on for a while

Indicates an indefinite but significant duration.

will not be short

States directly that the duration is not brief.

will draw out

Similar to 'drag on', suggesting an unnecessary extension.

FAQs

How can I use "will be protracted" in a sentence?

You can use "will be protracted" to describe processes or events expected to last a long time due to complexity or resistance. For example, "Brexit negotiations "will be protracted" due to disagreements between parties".

What does "will be protracted" mean?

"Will be protracted" means that something is expected to last longer than usual or anticipated, often suggesting difficulties or complexities that extend the duration.

Which is more appropriate: "will be protracted" or "will be long"?

"Will be protracted" is more appropriate when emphasizing the drawn-out nature of something due to difficulties or complexities. "Will be long" is a more general statement about duration. For example, a legal battle "will be protracted", but a journey "will be long".

Are there formal alternatives to "will be protracted"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "will be prolonged", "will be lengthy", or "will extend over a long period".