slower than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slower than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is taking longer than anticipated. For example, "The project is progressing slower than expected due to the difficult economic environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While there has been some progress in fulfilling these expectations, I found that it has been slower than expected.

Cornell University

But change proved slower than expected.

The Guardian

Vegetation establishment slower than expected through first 2 growing seasons.

University of California, Berkeley

"It is much slower than expected," the Arsenal manager said.

The Guardian - Sport

But the selection process has moved slower than expected.

The New York Times

Lobjoits and PI 491224 deteriorated slower than expected.

Nature

Actual implementation has generally been slower than expected.

Britannica

Some things are flying out, some are slower than expected.

The New York Times

It was apparent by Saturday night that the hunt was moving slower than expected.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, the Knicks found out that the knee was healing much slower than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

In a statement the Fed said: "Economic growth this year has been considerably slower than expected".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In reports or analyses, quantify the difference between the expected and actual progress to provide a concrete measure of the deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "slower than expected" without specifying what the expectation was. Be clear about what benchmark or timeline is not being met to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slower than expected" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate the rate or pace of an action or process. It typically describes a deviation from an anticipated timeline or benchmark. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

11%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slower than expected" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe situations where progress or development is not meeting anticipated timelines or benchmarks. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to provide specific context to explain the reasons behind the slower pace. Alternatives like "more sluggish than anticipated" or "not as fast as predicted" can be used to add variety, but the core meaning remains consistent. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More sluggish than anticipated

Replaces "slower" with "more sluggish" and "expected" with "anticipated" for a slightly more descriptive tone.

Not as fast as predicted

Substitutes "slower" with "not as fast" and "expected" with "predicted", offering a straightforward alternative.

Behind the projected pace

Uses "behind the projected pace" to emphasize the delay relative to a specific plan or forecast.

Progressing more deliberately

Replaces "slower" with "progressing more deliberately", suggesting a careful and intentional pace.

Less rapid than initially thought

Employs "less rapid" and "initially thought" for a formal tone, suitable for analytical contexts.

Taking more time than foreseen

Shifts the focus to the time aspect, using "taking more time" and "foreseen" for an alternative perspective.

Not developing as quickly as forecast

Focuses on development speed, using "not developing as quickly" and "forecast" for a business-oriented context.

Delayed beyond the original timeline

Highlights the delay against a set timeline, suitable for project management scenarios.

Advancing at a reduced rate

Uses "advancing at a reduced rate" to describe a slowed pace of progress in a more formal setting.

Laggier than what was anticipated

Uses "laggier" to specify a slower advancement with respect to the expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "slower than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "slower than expected" to describe any process or development that is not progressing at the anticipated rate. For example, "Economic growth has been "slower than expected" this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "slower than expected"?

Alternatives include "more sluggish than anticipated", "not as fast as predicted", or "behind the projected pace", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slower than expected"?

Yes, "slower than expected" is grammatically correct. It is a common and acceptable way to express that something is not progressing as quickly as anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

What does it mean when something is described as "slower than expected"?

When something is described as "slower than expected", it means that its progress or development is not meeting the initially anticipated timeline or rate. This can apply to various contexts, such as economic growth, project timelines, or personal progress.