What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
extend
Example
Can we extend the deadline for this project? [extend: verb]
Example
The company decided to extend their services to other countries. [extend: verb]
Example
She extended her arms to reach the top shelf. [extended: past tense]
prolong
Example
The medication helped to prolong his life. [prolong: verb]
Example
We had to prolong our trip due to bad weather. [prolong: verb]
Example
The prolonged drought caused a shortage of water. [prolonged: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extend is more commonly used than prolong in everyday language, and it is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between extend and prolong?
Both extend and prolong can be used in formal and informal contexts, but prolong may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.
