Definitions
- Describing the act of extending the duration of something. - Referring to the process of delaying or postponing something. - Talking about the act of making something last longer than it would naturally.
- Describing the act of making something longer in size or duration. - Referring to the process of extending the length of something. - Talking about the act of increasing the distance between two points.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe the act of extending something.
- 2Both words involve making something longer in some way.
- 3Both words can be used to refer to time or distance.
- 4Both words are verbs.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Prolong is more commonly used to refer to time, while lengthen is more commonly used to refer to physical objects or distance.
- 2Purpose: Prolong emphasizes the extension of time or duration, while lengthen emphasizes the extension of size or distance.
- 3Connotation: Prolong can have a negative connotation of delaying or postponing something, while lengthen is more neutral and can even have a positive connotation of improving something.
- 4Usage in phrases: Prolong is often used in phrases like 'prolonged illness' or 'prolonged exposure', while lengthen is often used in phrases like 'lengthen your stride' or 'lengthen the rope'.
Remember this!
Prolong and lengthen are synonyms that both describe the act of extending something. However, prolong is more commonly used to refer to time or duration, while lengthen is more commonly used to refer to physical objects or distance. Additionally, prolong can have a negative connotation of delaying something, while lengthen is more neutral and can even have a positive connotation of improving something.
