Prolonger

Prolonger is a French verb meaning to extend the duration of something, to lengthen it, or to keep it going longer than originally planned. It is used for time, space, procedures, or obligations, such as prolonger un délai (to extend a deadline), prolonger un contrat (to extend a contract), or prolonger une visite (to prolong a visit).

Etymology: prolonger comes from Latin prolongare, formed from pro- “forward” and longus “long.” In French, it is a regular -er verb and follows standard conjugation patterns for such verbs.

In English, the closest equivalent is prolong. The form prolonger is not standard English and is typically avoided outside bilingual contexts or when specifically referring to the French verb. The related noun form is prolongation, which denotes the act or result of extending something, such as a deadline, a lease, or a stay.

Usage notes: French conjugation examples in the present tense include je prolonge, tu prolonge, il prolonge, nous prolongeons, vous prolongez, ils prolongent. In English, examples include: “The authorities decided to prolong the license,” or “The meeting was prolonged by an hour.” The concept of extension can also appear in legal or administrative language as “prolongation,” often used for deadlines or permits.