taking too much time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'taking too much time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is taking a longer period of time than it should. For example: "I thought this project would only take me a week, but it's taking too much time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its taking too much time away from my relationship.

The Guardian - Money

"This is taking too much time, when you get into legal measures and bureaucracy," he said.

The Washington Post

"This allows me to do that without it taking too much time away from my family.

MIT Technology Review

(Mallinckrodt was told that he was dismissed for taking too much time on his lunch breaks).

The New Yorker

At times, it appeared that Manning was taking too much time to make other decisions.

The New York Times - Sports

The uniform disputes coincided with new state tests, and policing clothes was taking too much time.

The New York Times

When he had given drink to about thirty of them, he realized he was taking too much time.

The New Yorker

Walker is high up the pitch, steals the ball from Bentaleb taking too much time and Aguero takes it on!

The Telegraph

"But at the same time, I didn't know I was taking too much time at the time, that's the problem".

The New York Times - Sports

Just if the crowd's noisy, your opponent's taking too much time, you know, just things like that.

The New York Times - Sports

"Bella" is a one-month-old iPad whose young family had to give her up because she was taking too much time away from their new baby.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "taking too much time" with more specific language if possible. For instance, instead of saying "The meeting is taking too much time", you might say "The meeting is running overtime and is unproductive."

Common error

While "taking too much time" is acceptable, it can sound informal in certain contexts. In formal or business writing, consider using phrases like "consuming excessive time" or "requiring an unreasonable amount of time" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking too much time" functions as a descriptor, indicating that an action, process, or event is exceeding an acceptable or expected duration. Ludwig provides many examples of use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking too much time" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is exceeding an acceptable or expected duration. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides ample examples from various sources. While suitable for many contexts, it may be perceived as informal in certain professional or scientific settings, where alternatives like "consuming excessive time" may be preferred. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, suggesting its wide applicability in describing current events and societal issues. In summary, while "taking too much time" is a versatile and readily understood expression, writers should consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requiring too much time

Highlights the requirement of a large amount of time for a task.

consuming too much time

Emphasizes the idea that time is being 'consumed' or used up excessively.

being time-consuming

Describes the activity itself as inherently consuming a lot of time.

taking longer than expected

Implies a deviation from an anticipated or planned timeframe.

spending excessive time

Focuses on the act of spending time rather than the outcome of it taking too long.

overly lengthy

Focuses on the excessive length of the duration.

taking an unreasonable amount of time

Uses a more formal and objective tone to suggest the time taken is not justifiable.

delaying excessively

Shifts the focus to the act of delaying something, rather than the time itself.

prolonging unnecessarily

Implies that the time being taken is longer than necessary and avoidable.

drawing out too long

Uses a more informal tone and suggests something is being stretched out unnecessarily.

FAQs

How can I use "taking too much time" in a sentence?

You can use "taking too much time" to describe a task, process, or activity that is exceeding an acceptable or expected duration. For example, "The legal battle is "taking too much time" and draining precious resources."

What are some alternatives to "taking too much time"?

Alternatives include "consuming too much time", "requiring too much time", or "spending excessive time", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "taking too much time"?

Yes, "taking too much time" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

When is it appropriate to use "taking too much time"?

It's appropriate to use "taking too much time" in situations where you want to express that something is lasting longer than it should, causing inconvenience, delays, or inefficiency. It is suitable for general communication but consider more formal alternatives for professional writing.