Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
taking more time than
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "taking more time than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the duration of an action or process to another, indicating that one takes longer than the other. Example: "This project is taking more time than I initially anticipated."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
"It's taking more time than I would have hoped," Dr. Hamer said, "but it definitely is going to get done".
News & Media
Clarke added that he was trying to improve pricing, quality and service, but that it was "taking more time than we thought it would".
News & Media
But one close adviser to Mr. Bush said that even on education policy, which both parties call a priority, compromise had proved difficult and was taking more time than expected.
News & Media
It's just taking more time than expected.
News & Media
"CollateIdentity" made 20 TPM calls, as well as complex calculation of bytes, to create and use credentials taking more time than calls used in other stages.
This can cause the user to miss the beginning of the video and also split their focus, while taking more time than necessary.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
43 human-written examples
This was going to take more time than I thought.
News & Media
It's taken more time than I anticipated".
News & Media
It might just take more time than expected.
News & Media
And conversations tend to take more time than previously.
News & Media
Some jobs take longer than others, because vacuuming and scrubbing take more time than chemical treatments.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "taking more time than", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the activity is taking more time than to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The debugging process is taking more time than the initial coding phase."
Common error
Avoid using "taking more time than" without a clear point of comparison. For example, instead of saying "The project is taking more time than expected", specify "The project is taking more time than the initial estimate."
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "taking more time than" functions primarily as a comparative expression. Ludwig AI suggests it's grammatically correct and usable for comparing durations. Examples show it modifying actions and processes to indicate extended timeframes.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
35%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "taking more time than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative expression used to indicate an activity or process is lasting longer than expected or compared to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, including news reporting, scientific writing, and general communication. The key to using it effectively is ensuring a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "requiring more time than" exist, the original phrase remains a direct and widely understood option. "Taking more time than" is quite frequent in News & Media and Science. It is important to have good context for the reader.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
requiring additional time compared to
Replaces "taking" with "requiring" and uses "additional time" for emphasis.
consuming more time than
Substitutes "taking" with "consuming", focusing on the time being used up.
lasting longer than
Focuses on the duration of the process or activity.
extending beyond the expected timeframe
Highlights the deviation from the original timeline.
overrunning the anticipated schedule
Emphasizes that the activity is exceeding the planned schedule.
exceeding the allotted time
Uses more formal language, suggesting a predefined timeframe.
demanding more time than
Focuses on the demand or need for a greater time allocation.
necessitating more time compared to
Formal and emphasizes the necessity for additional time.
going beyond the initial duration
Highlights the fact that duration is prolonged.
progressing at a slower pace than
Focuses on the pace of progress rather than the time itself.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "taking more time than" in a sentence?
You can use alternatives such as "requiring more time than", "consuming more time than", or "lasting longer than" depending on the specific context. For example, try: "This task is "requiring more time than" I anticipated."
What's the difference between "taking more time than" and "take more time than"?
"Taking more time than" refers to an ongoing action, while "take more time than" is a more general statement or instruction. For example, "The process is taking more time than expected" (ongoing) versus "We need to take more time than usual" (general statement).
When is it appropriate to use "taking more time than" in writing?
It's appropriate when you want to compare the duration of a process or activity with another, emphasizing that one is longer. For example, "The data analysis is "taking more time than" the data collection."
What are some common errors when using the phrase "taking more time than"?
A common error is not specifying what you're comparing the time to, leading to ambiguity. Ensure your sentences are clear by stating what is "taking more time than" what. For example, instead of "It's taking more time than planned", clarify with "It's taking more time than originally planned".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested