than we planned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than we planned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the actual outcome to a previously established plan or expectation. Example: "The project took longer to complete than we planned, resulting in a delay in the launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

We pretty much spent more on everything than we planned.

The New York Times

We were leaving nine hours earlier than we planned".

The New York Times

"We ended up shooting even more bands than we planned".

The New York Times

"But life got to us, and we stayed a year longer than we planned".

The New York Times

Still, they are unhappy to find themselves in "a world different than we planned for," said Mr. Goldman, a lecturer in real estate finance at San Diego State.

The New York Times

The fact is that online discounts are much like their real-store counterparts: they lure us in, get us to spend more than we planned and send us home reassured that we got a bargain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

This video was s'posed to be done months ago, but things take longer than we plan.

Huffington Post

In analyses that included more than 10 trials, we planned to construct funnel plots of effect estimates against study precision.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

We could conceivably be at sea much longer than a month, consequently, we planned provisions for two or three months, just in case.

Huffington Post

Our participation rates were high, even in the control areas (Jackson/Calhoun counties); in fact, these rates were higher than we anticipated when we planned the study.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Other than that, we plan to continue to run Woot the way we have always run Woot – with a wall of ideas and a dartboard.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "than we planned", ensure the context clearly establishes what the original plan was. Providing specific details about the initial intentions helps avoid ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "than we planned" without properly contextualizing the scope of the plan. Ensure that your audience understands what aspects were included in the original plan; otherwise, the comparison lacks specific meaning and value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than we planned" functions as a comparative conjunction, linking an actual outcome to a previously established intention. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase creates a contrast between an initial plan and the subsequent reality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than we planned" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to express that something occurred differently from an initial plan or expectation. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and it is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to provide sufficient context to make the comparison clear. Alternatives such as "more than we anticipated" or "contrary to our plans" can be used to add nuance. It's advisable to clearly state what the original plan was to avoid any ambiguity in your writing when using "than we planned".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than we anticipated

Emphasizes that the actual outcome exceeded initial expectations.

contrary to our plans

Indicates a direct opposition or divergence from the original plans.

beyond our initial expectations

Highlights that the result went further than what was originally expected.

unlike what we envisioned

Emphasizes the contrast between reality and the initial mental image or concept.

different from what we intended

Focuses on the difference between the actual outcome and the original intention.

exceeding our projected estimates

Highlights that the final figures were higher than the original calculations.

not according to our original design

Highlights a deviation from an original blueprint or design.

divergent from our proposed approach

Implies a difference from the originally proposed method or strategy.

deviating from our projected course

Suggests a shift away from a planned path or trajectory.

varying from our preliminary outline

Indicates a change or departure from an initial sketch or framework.

FAQs

How can I use "than we planned" in a sentence?

You can use "than we planned" to compare an actual outcome with a prior expectation or intention. For example, "The project took longer "than we planned", but the results were worth the extra time."

What can I say instead of "than we planned"?

Alternatives to "than we planned" include "more than we anticipated", "different from what we intended", or "contrary to our plans", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "than we planned"?

The phrase "than we planned" is grammatically sound, however ensure the subject being compared with the original plan is unambiguous and clearly defined in the context. Avoid using it if the comparison is unclear or undefined.

What is the difference between "than we planned" and "than we expected"?

"Than we planned" refers specifically to a deviation from a deliberate course of action, while "than we expected" is a more general expression of surprise or divergence from an anticipated outcome. The former implies a conscious decision, while the latter suggests a passive observation.