prolong
/prolong/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make something last for a longer period of time; to extend the duration of an event, state, or activity.
- To cause something to be physically longer; to lengthen or stretch out.
Usage
- General Use: The verb "prolong" is used to indicate the action of intentionally extending the time or length of something. It often implies a deliberate effort to make something continue beyond its expected or original endpoint.
- Grammar: "Prolong" is a transitive verb and must be followed by a direct object (the thing being extended). Its past tense and past participle forms are "prolonged."
Examples
- Extending Duration:
- The doctor decided to prolong the treatment for another month.
- They prolonged the meeting by discussing minor details.
- Extending Physical Length:
- The architect's plan was to prolong the corridor to the new wing.
- The shadow was prolonged by the setting sun.
Advanced Usage
- "Prolong the agony": To unnecessarily extend a difficult, painful, or unpleasant situation.
- By not making a decision, the manager only prolonged the agony for the anxious team.
- "Prolonged exposure": Extended contact with or subjection to something, often used in medical or scientific contexts.
- Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage your hearing.
Variants and Related Words
- Prolongation (noun): The act of prolonging or the state of being prolonged.
- The prolongation of the contract was welcome news.
- Prolonged (adjective): Lasting for a long time or longer than usual.
- After a prolonged period of silence, he finally spoke.
Synonyms
- Extend: To make longer in space or time.
- Lengthen: To make or become longer.
- Protract: To draw out or lengthen in time, often unnecessarily.
Antonyms
- Shorten: To make or become shorter.
- Abbreviate: To shorten the duration of.
- Cut short: To end something before its expected time.
Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Prolong" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed by the verb alone or with prepositions like "for" to indicate the extended period.) - Prolong for: To extend something for a specified additional time. - The visa was prolonged for another six months.
Related Idioms
- To prolong the inevitable: To delay something that is certain to happen.
- His appeals only served to prolong the inevitable dismissal.
Verb
- lengthen or extend in duration or space
- We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible
- prolong the treatment of the patient
- keep up the good work
- lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
- We prolonged our stay
- She extended her visit by another day
- The meeting was drawn out until midnight