taking too long

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking too long" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you feel something is taking an unreasonable or unexpected amount of time. For example: "This project is taking too long; I thought we would be done by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stage design taking too long?

The Guardian

It's just taking too long.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the teams were taking too long.

Harvard Business Review

Trade minister But it's taking too long.

The Guardian

Taking too long in the loo.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The process is taking too long.

The New York Times

" 'They were taking too long,' " he told her.

The New York Times

State officials complained that the process was taking too long.

The New York Times

But that's taking too long – we need to ask faster.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is taking too long to take effect.

The Guardian

"You are taking too long," Nilsson said mildly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking too long", consider the context to determine if a more specific phrase might be more appropriate, such as "delayed" or "overdue".

Common error

While "taking too long" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "dragging on" or "unduly delayed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking too long" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing that an action, event, or process is exceeding a reasonable or expected timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking too long" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is exceeding an acceptable timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various writing contexts. While versatile, consider using more specific alternatives like "delayed" or "overdue" for clarity. To avoid repetition, try synonyms like ""dragging on"" or "unduly prolonged". Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase is versatile enough for most situations, yet it is crucial to assess when it's the right one and when it sounds redundant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding the time limit

Focuses on surpassing an established time constraint.

delayed for too long

Explicitly states that a delay has been excessive.

dragging on

Implies a process is continuing for an extended and often tedious period.

unduly delayed

Emphasizes that a delay is unwarranted or excessive.

unduly prolonged

Similar to unduly delayed, but emphasizing that the length has been extended without good reason.

protracted duration

Highlights the length of something, suggesting it is longer than desired.

overdue

Suggests that something should have been completed by now.

running late

Focuses on the lateness relative to a schedule or expectation.

lasting an age

Uses hyperbole to express a feeling of excessive duration.

past the deadline

Directly refers to missing a specific deadline.

FAQs

How can I use "taking too long" in a sentence?

You can use "taking too long" to express that an activity, process, or event is exceeding an acceptable or expected time frame. For instance, "The project is "taking too long" to complete".

What are some alternatives to "taking too long"?

Alternatives include "dragging on", "unduly delayed", or "exceeding the time limit", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "taking a long time" or "taking too long"?

"Taking a long time" simply indicates duration, whereas "taking too long" implies the duration is excessive or undesirable. The choice depends on whether you want to express judgment or simply state a fact.

What's the difference between "delayed" and "taking too long"?

"Delayed" indicates that something is behind schedule, while ""taking too long"" suggests that the duration, regardless of schedule, is excessive or causing frustration.