What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
linger
Example
She lingered at the party, not wanting to leave. [linger: verb]
Example
The smell of the flowers made her linger in the garden. [linger: verb]
Example
He had a lingering feeling of regret after the argument. [lingering: adjective]
prolong
Example
The medication helped prolong his life. [prolong: verb]
Example
The company tried to prolong the project deadline. [prolong: verb]
Example
The cold weather prolonged his illness. [prolonged: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prolong is more commonly used than linger in everyday language. Prolong is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while linger is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between linger and prolong?
Both linger and prolong are relatively formal words, but prolong may be slightly more formal due to its versatility and ability to be used in various contexts.
