What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chronic
Example
He has been suffering from chronic back pain for years. [chronic: adjective]
Example
The company is facing chronic financial difficulties. [chronic: adjective]
prolonged
Example
The storm caused a prolonged power outage in the area. [prolonged: adjective]
Example
The meeting was prolonged due to extensive discussions. [prolonged: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chronic is more commonly used than prolonged in everyday language, especially in medical and health-related contexts. Prolonged is less common but can still be encountered in various situations where a longer duration is being described.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chronic and prolonged?
Both chronic and prolonged can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, chronic is more commonly used in professional or medical settings, while prolonged is more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.
