What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
extended
Example
The meeting was extended by an hour to cover all the topics. [extended: verb]
Example
The extended version of the movie includes additional scenes not shown in theaters. [extended: adjective]
prolonged
Example
The patient's recovery was prolonged due to complications. [prolonged: adjective]
Example
The drought led to a prolonged period of water scarcity. [prolonged: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extended is more common in everyday language than prolonged, which is more often used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between extended and prolonged?
Prolonged is more formal than extended, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts as both a verb and an adjective.
