prolong
B2Formal to neutral. Common in written and academic English.
Definition
Meaning
To make something last for a longer time; to extend its duration.
In medical or mechanical contexts, it can mean to extend something beyond its normal or comfortable limits, often with a sense of strain or artificial extension.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Prolong" often implies an active, deliberate, or forced extension of something that has a natural endpoint. It can carry a neutral, positive (e.g., prolonging life), or negative connotation (e.g., prolonging suffering).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. Usage patterns and frequency are nearly identical.
Connotations
Slight tendency in UK English for "prolong" to be used more often in formal/written contexts, while US English may use "extend" slightly more in casual speech, but this is a subtle nuance.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
prolong + NPprolong + NP + by + time periodprolong + NP + beyond + pointVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Prolong the agony”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We must avoid any action that would prolong the negotiation process."
Academic
"The new treatment protocol aims to prolong patient survival rates."
Everyday
"His stories always prolong our dinner by at least an hour."
Technical
"The additive is used to prolong the shelf life of the product."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bad weather prolonged our journey home.
- The barrister's lengthy questioning prolonged the trial unnecessarily.
- She took vitamins to prolong her active life.
American English
- The medication helped prolong his life.
- Let's not prolong this meeting any longer than necessary.
- A technical glitch prolonged the software update by several hours.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form derived directly from 'prolong'.
American English
- No standard adverb form derived directly from 'prolong'.
adjective
British English
- There is no standard adjective form 'prolonged' directly from 'prolong'; 'prolonged' is a separate adjective meaning 'extended in time'.
American English
- There is no standard adjective form 'prolonged' directly from 'prolong'; 'prolonged' is a separate adjective meaning 'extended in time'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The rain prolonged our picnic.
- Please don't prolong your shower, others are waiting.
- The doctor said good diet can prolong a healthy life.
- His questions prolonged the meeting for another thirty minutes.
- The diplomat's intervention helped to prolong the fragile ceasefire.
- They used special packaging to prolong the fruit's freshness during transport.
- The appellate process has prolonged the litigation for years, causing immense financial strain.
- Advances in medical science are continually prolonging the human lifespan, raising new societal questions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PRO' (for) + 'LONG' (a long time). You are *for* making it *long*.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT THAT CAN BE STRETCHED.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "пролонгировать" (a formal, bureaucratic term often used for contracts). "Prolong" is broader and more natural. "Затягивать" is often a closer match for the sense of unnecessarily extending.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'prolong' with 'lengthen' (which is more spatial). Using 'prolong' with spatial objects (e.g., 'prolong the road' is incorrect). Incorrect: 'He prolonged to speak.' Correct: 'He prolonged his speech.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'prolong' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Prolong' specifically refers to extending the *duration* of something in time. 'Extend' is broader and can refer to time, space, scope, or an offer (e.g., extend a road, extend a deadline, extend an invitation).
Yes, 'prolonged' is a common adjective meaning 'continuing for a long time or longer than usual' (e.g., a prolonged absence, prolonged exposure). It is derived from the past participle of 'prolong'.
Yes, absolutely. For example, 'The treatment prolonged her life,' 'Music can prolong a feeling of happiness,' or 'The treaty prolonged the period of peace.' The connotation depends on what is being extended.
It is neutral-to-formal. It is perfectly at home in everyday speech ('Don't prolong the argument'), but it is also very common in academic, medical, legal, and business writing where precision about duration is needed.