would rather prolong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would rather prolong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a preference for extending a situation or experience rather than ending it. Example: "I would rather prolong our discussion than rush to a conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He would rather prolong the hedonistic pleasures of youth than embrace the self-sacrificing demands of adulthood.

Columbia University

Moria Shlomot, the director of Peace Now, said the group was capitalizing on what it sees as growing public belief that Mr. Sharon would rather prolong the conflict than end it, if that meant giving up the settlements.

The New York Times

"I know there's some people in my own party and in the other party who would rather prolong this battle, even if we can't reach a compromise," Mr. Obama said in announcing the bipartisan agreement on tax cuts and unemployment benefits.

The New York Times

"The liberals would rather prolong the transitional phase than accept the results of clean and fair elections, which shows they are not very sure about their weight in society and politics," Professor Shahin said, suggesting they preferred "to cooperate with those in power".

The New York Times

It is important to note that ranolazine also has inhibitory effects on IKr which would rather prolong cardiac APD [ 20, 21].

Cardiovascular Therapeutics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Republicans would apparently rather prolong the suffering so that they can defeat Obama and the Democrats in 2012.

Huffington Post

Many businesses, even some power companies, would rather see regulation now than prolonged uncertainty.

The Economist

Our hero is freed by Dr. Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a bounty hunter posing as a dentist, who appears to have escaped from a Buñuel film; trim of beard and florid of rhetoric, he would rather die than act uncivilly, and would rather kill than prolong an unsavory argument.

The New Yorker

But a refusal to cooperate with the tribunal violates international law and would prolong, rather than end, Serbia's status as a pariah nation.

The New York Times

Some students thought the Cambodian action was an unacceptable con tradiction of the announced policy of gradual withdrawal from Vietnam, or that the action constituted invasion of a neutral country, or that it would prolong rather than shorten the war.

The New York Times

They would rather starve.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would rather prolong" when you want to express a preference for extending a situation or experience, especially when compared to a less desirable alternative. For example, "I "would rather prolong" the negotiation than accept a disadvantageous offer."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "would rather prolong" can sound less formal than alternatives like "prefer to extend" or "would prefer to lengthen". Consider the context and audience when choosing between these options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would rather prolong" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating preference. It expresses a desire to extend a particular state or activity instead of allowing it to end or proceed too quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would rather prolong" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a preference for extending a situation, activity, or experience. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some use in science and academia. While the phrase is generally acceptable, consider the formality of the setting; more formal alternatives like "prefer to extend" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Despite its relative infrequency, "would rather prolong" is a useful phrase for conveying a desire to lengthen something rather than ending it prematurely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would sooner extend

This alternative uses "sooner" to convey a sense of immediacy or a slightly stronger preference.

prefer to extend

This alternative is a more direct and less emphatic way of expressing a preference for lengthening something.

would prefer to lengthen

This is a more formal alternative, replacing "rather" with "prefer" for a slightly more elevated tone.

would favour extending

This alternative is more common in British English and emphasizes a deliberate choice or endorsement of lengthening.

prefer to protract

This alternative carries a slightly more negative connotation, suggesting a deliberate lengthening that may be undesirable.

desire to prolong

This alternative implies a stronger emotional inclination or wish to extend something.

opt to extend

This option suggests a conscious decision to prolong something, often in a more formal setting.

lean towards extending

This option suggests a tentative preference for prolongation, without a firm commitment.

choose to continue

This option focuses on the continuation of an action or state, rather than specifically the lengthening of it.

gravitate towards prolonging

This alternative implies a natural tendency or inclination to extend something, often without conscious effort.

FAQs

What does "would rather prolong" mean?

The phrase "would rather prolong" indicates a preference for extending something, such as an activity, situation, or discussion, rather than letting it end or proceed quickly. It suggests a desire to make something last longer.

How can I use "would rather prolong" in a sentence?

You can use "would rather prolong" when you want to express a preference for extending a situation or experience, especially when compared to an alternative. For example, "The company "would rather prolong" the project timeline than compromise on quality."

What are some alternatives to "would rather prolong"?

Some alternatives include "prefer to extend", "would prefer to lengthen", or "would sooner extend". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "would rather prolong"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, consider the context; in very formal settings, alternatives like "prefer to extend" might be more suitable.