taking longer than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking longer than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something is taking more time to happen than you originally anticipated. For example, "Our project is taking longer than expected, so we will need to postpone the launch date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was taking longer than expected.

The New Yorker

Brown's recovery is taking longer than expected.

The New York Times

He acknowledged that getting there was taking longer than expected.

The New York Times - Arts

The $105 million project is taking longer than expected.

The New York Times

Reporters at several locations report that the speeches are taking longer than expected.

The New York Times

Already, some of the city's larger ambitions for online instruction are taking longer than expected.

The New York Times

But it is taking longer than expected for borrowing by business to catch up.

The New York Times

The English Football Association said Pelé's recovery was taking longer than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Hoisting the submarine Kursk to a floating dock is taking longer than expected.

The New York Times

Update 3 30am: maintenance is still progressing after taking longer than expected during the initial backup phase.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Smethwick, delays were blamed on "the fitting of pipes and wires [taking] longer than expected".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking longer than expected", consider specifying the reason for the delay to provide context and transparency. For example, "The project is taking longer than expected due to unforeseen technical challenges."

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "taking longer than expected" without explaining why. This can leave the audience frustrated and uninformed. Always provide some detail or explanation to justify the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking longer than expected" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to provide context about a process or activity that is not progressing at the originally anticipated rate. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

19%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking longer than expected" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is not progressing as quickly as anticipated. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use. It serves to manage expectations and provide context for delays across diverse fields like news, business, and academia. While frequently encountered, it's crucial to provide specific reasons for the delay. Alternatives like "delayed beyond anticipation" or "behind schedule" offer similar meanings, though "taking longer than expected" maintains broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed beyond anticipation

Emphasizes the delay and the initial expectation that was not met.

progressing more slowly than anticipated

Highlights the slower rate of progress compared to the expected pace.

behind schedule

A straightforward term indicating that something is not on time.

running behind

Similar to "behind schedule", but with a slightly more active connotation.

protracted beyond the initial timeframe

Focuses on the extension of the activity beyond its original duration.

not proceeding as quickly as planned

Highlights the difference between the actual speed and the planned speed.

exceeding the estimated duration

Emphasizes that the time taken has gone over the initially estimated time.

slipping the timeline

Suggests a gradual movement away from the intended timeline.

experiencing unforeseen delays

Highlights the unexpected nature of the delays.

requiring more time than initially foreseen

Focuses on the need for additional time that was not originally anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "taking longer than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "taking longer than expected" to describe any process or task that is not progressing as quickly as initially anticipated. For example, "The construction is "taking longer than expected" due to weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "taking longer than expected"?

Alternatives include "delayed beyond anticipation", "behind schedule", or "progressing more slowly than anticipated", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "taking longer than expected" or "taking more time than expected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "taking longer than expected" is generally preferred in most contexts as it sounds more natural. "Taking more time than expected" is a viable alternative, though it may come across as slightly more formal.

What does it mean when something is "taking longer than expected"?

It means that the process, task, or activity is requiring more time to complete than was originally anticipated or planned. It implies a deviation from the initial timeline or projection.