longer than originally planned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longer than originally planned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something takes more time than was initially anticipated or scheduled. Example: "The project took longer than originally planned due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

What's more, aspiring scientists who manage to finish usually take much longer than originally planned.

The Guardian

Under a constrained budget, the projects outlined by Bush will take years longer than originally planned.

MIT Technology Review

It took seven months longer than originally planned and followed a circuitous route through four counties and 22 cities.

The New York Times - Arts

It took eighteen years to build — six times longer than originally planned — and never made back its investment.

The New Yorker

Diplomats know that creating and managing relationships in the face of conflict is a time-consuming process, one that invariably takes longer than originally planned.

Harvard University

Development of Virgin's spacecraft has taken longer than originally planned, and it is unclear when the company, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, will make its first flight.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The modest boost comes after federal administrators sought to rein in spending after a number of big projects ran over budget and took far longer to complete than originally planned.

The Washington Post

Monitor, the government regulator, said its investigation into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust "took longer and cost more than originally planned".

BBC

DSRL said it expected no reduction in supply chain spending and will be looking to place "substantial additional new packages of work" into the chain over a longer period of time than originally planned.

BBC

The sample size was recalculated on February 2011 owing to a longer patient accrual period (>24 months) than originally planned (12 months).

British Journal of Cancer

They set out to hire more Americans than originally planned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "longer than originally planned", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original plan was. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "longer than originally planned" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "more protracted than initially expected" or "taking more time than anticipated" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longer than originally planned" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action or process extended beyond its initially intended duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "longer than originally planned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something took more time than initially expected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse situations. When using the phrase, clarity regarding the original plan is crucial, and repetition should be avoided. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "longer than originally planned" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lasting longer than first anticipated

Replaces "planned" with "anticipated", keeping the core meaning intact.

taking more time than scheduled

Substitutes "planned" with "scheduled", emphasizing the timetable aspect.

taking more time than anticipated

Focuses on the increased time consumption compared to what was anticipated.

delayed beyond the initial timeline

Highlights the delay in relation to the original schedule.

extending beyond the original timeframe

Highlights the extension of the activity or event past the original time limits.

more protracted than initially expected

Emphasizes the extended duration beyond the initial expectation, using more formal vocabulary.

prolonged beyond what was initially foreseen

Uses more formal language to indicate a duration longer than initially predicted.

exceeding the initial duration

Emphasizes the surpassing of the originally estimated timeframe.

running over the original schedule

Focuses on the schedule and its overrun, providing a slightly more informal tone.

developing for an extended duration beyond the first intention

Highlights a situation that required an unexpected amount of development time.

FAQs

What does it mean when something takes "longer than originally planned"?

It means that an activity, project, or event required more time to complete than was initially estimated or scheduled.

Which is correct, "longer than originally planned" or "longer than originally scheduled"?

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the planning aspect or the scheduling aspect. "Longer than originally scheduled" may be more appropriate when referring to timetables or deadlines.

What can I say instead of "longer than originally planned"?

You can use alternatives like "more time than anticipated", "delayed beyond the initial timeline", or "lasting longer than first anticipated" depending on the context.

How can I use "longer than originally planned" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a project that took more time to complete than expected, for example: "The construction of the new bridge took "longer than originally planned" due to unforeseen weather conditions."