exceeded the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeded the time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to surpassing a designated time limit or duration. For example, "The meeting exceeded the time allocated for discussion." Alternative expressions include "went over the time" and "surpassed the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He exceeded the time limit.

The New Yorker

Alstom had also exceeded the time limit for bringing the claim, the high court found.

The Guardian - Business

"Lorcán had so much more to give, but his achievements in life far exceeded the time he had.

The Guardian

For CSR execs who have yet to jump in, Stephenson advises, "embrace it – the returns I've gotten have far exceeded the time I've spent".

The Guardian

Even if you have exceeded the time limit, O'Shea recommends contacting your credit card company and hoping for a sympathetic agent.

The Washington Post

Mr. Brennan said that appealing to other countries would have exceeded the time frame that Islamic custom requires, of burial within 24 hours of death.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Further, the time-to-plateau (TTPt) in UUO kidneys largely exceeded the time-to-peak (TTP) values in sham-operated or contralateral kidneys, suggesting that 99mTc-MAG3 islowlyly up-taken in UUO kidneys.

BMC Nephrology

The benefits far exceed the time spent.

University of California, Berkeley

Polly Stockton, also of Britain, picked up 1.4 penalties for exceeding the time allowed.

The New York Times - Sports

The user requests for beam time by far exceeds the time available.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

In cricket, the time constraint imposed by the speed of the delivery often exceeds the time available to process information.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or legal contexts, follow the phrase with a specific noun like "limit", "frame" or "period" to increase precision

Common error

Avoid using "exceeded the time" when you actually mean "exceeded the number of times". If you are referring to a count of occurrences rather than a length of time, use "exceeded the frequency" or "surpassed the number of instances" to maintain clarity

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeded the time" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It indicates an action where a subject surpasses a defined temporal boundary. In Ludwig, this structure is frequently seen where the object "time" is modified by nouns like "limit", "frame" or "period" to provide specific context to the breach.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "exceeded the time" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of going beyond a set duration. According to Ludwig AI, it is a staple of professional writing, appearing frequently in high-authority news outlets and scientific journals. It is particularly effective when used to describe regulatory breaches, technical limitations or procedural delays. While it is perfectly acceptable in neutral contexts, writers can enhance their precision by specifying the type of time limit involved, such as a "time frame" or "allotted time". Using this phrase ensures a clear, formal tone that is easily understood across all major English-speaking domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed the time limit

uses a more explicit noun to emphasize the boundary being crossed

went over the time

offers a more conversational and idiomatic alternative

overran the schedule

implies a deviation from a planned sequence of events

exceeded the duration

replaces time with a more technical term often found in scientific reporting

topped the allotted time

focuses on exceeding a specific quota or permission

past the deadline

shifts the focus from the action to the temporal point after the limit

outstayed the period

suggests remaining for longer than appropriate or intended

exceeded the timeframe

uses a compound noun to refer to a specific window of possibility

overstepped the mark

a figurative expression that can imply a breach of protocol

lagged behind the schedule

focuses on the delay resulting from the time usage

FAQs

How do I use "exceeded the time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe surpassing a limit, such as: "The presentation "exceeded the time limit" by five minutes."

What can I say instead of "exceeded the time"?

Depending on your context, you might use "surpassed the limit", "went over" or "ran overtime".

Is "exceeded the time" formal enough for business?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for professional settings. For extra precision, you might say "exceeded the allotted time" in a report or meeting summary.

What is the difference between "exceeded the time" and "overran"?

While similar, "overran" is often used for events like meetings or broadcasts that lasted longer than planned, whereas "exceeded the time" is a broader term applicable to technical limits and constraints.