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why did you take so long vs what took so long

Both phrases are correct, interchangeable, and can be used to inquire about the reason for a delay or a long wait.
Michele A. profile picture

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 31, 2025 • 7410 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to ask for the reason behind a delay or a long wait.

"why did you take so long"

This phrase is used to inquire about the cause of a delay or a long wait. It seeks an explanation for the time taken to complete a task or arrive at a destination.

Examples:

  • Why did you take so long to finish the project?
  • Why did you take so long to get here?
  • Why did you take so long to respond to my message?
  • Why did you take so long to make a decision?
  • Why did you take so long to call me back?
  • 2 days ago ... Ashley: "Why did you take so long on move 7?" Ding: "I forgot the variations so I started thinking on the spot and chose the second variation".
  • Jan 23, 2017 ... 'Why did you take so long?' (Past tense). 'You took so long!' (Past Tense). These statements are said after the other person has made you ...
  • Nov 25, 2020 ... I've always thought the correct sentence was "why did you take so long?". Could anyone clear this up for me? See a translation.
  • Why Did You Take So Long To Write Alcatraz 5? These goofy books have quite the devoted following, and over the years one of the number one questions I got was ...
  • ... why did you take so long? I knew for a while that this would happen.' What got me through this whole ordeal is acceptance - that this is my fate, now I can ...
  • Oct 31, 2013 ... "Why did you take so long to come?" Because it seems weird if I change them to a declarative sentece from the interrogative sentence. What ...
  • Jul 8, 2019 ... Why did you take so long??? Don't you care if I die!!???” All the awful, resentful things I would say! But then, I realized it wasn't his ...
  • Dec 25, 2009 ... :eek: Could it also be said "why did you take so long"? Thanks.
  • Feb 3, 2018 ... For what it's worth, Why did it take you so long? is significantly more common than Why did you take so long? But there are many ways of ...
  • Sep 27, 2024 ... The surgeon said "You've had symptoms for six years, why did you take so long?" I said I've been talking about them for years but was told ...

Alternatives:

  • What took you so long?
  • What made you take so long?
  • What caused the delay?
  • What was the reason for the delay?
  • What was the holdup?

This phrase is correct and commonly used to ask about the reason for a delay or a long wait.

"what took so long"

This phrase is used to inquire about the cause of a delay or a long wait. It seeks an explanation for the time taken to complete a task or arrive at a destination.

Examples:

  • What took so long for you to get here?
  • What took so long for the food to arrive?
  • What took so long for the decision to be made?
  • What took so long for the repair to be completed?
  • What took so long for the response?
  • Aug 9, 2024 ... Autopilot, what took so long? Autopilot. Hello,. Is there a way to know wich steps is taking (or took) so long (It hasn't moved for 30 minutes) ...
  • 2 days ago ... Microsoft (MSFT) Rolls Out AI-Powered Recall: What Took So Long? A development team working together to create the next version of Windows.
  • Jan 25, 2019 ... Why a public school teacher chose private school . . . and what took so long. by Jennifer Wigfield. Choosing private education over public ...
  • Aug 26, 2020 ... What Took So Long? On 'The Vanishing Half,' 'Luster,' 'Transcendent Kingdom' and the writers denied their deserved recognition.
  • Jun 18, 2024 ... 5575 likes, 260 comments - annamariahorner on June 18, 2024: "I'm not sure what took so long for this quilt design to arrive in my brain but ...
  • Jun 18, 2024 ... I'm not sure what took so long for this quilt design to arrive in my brain but I'm happy it did. 2024 marks ten years since we first started ...
  • Jul 31, 2019 ... The Global Response to Ebola Outbreak: What Took So Long? ... Columbia physician and Ebola survivor Craig Spencer says community engagement and ...
  • What took so long? It was a pleasure to watch Coach Hugh Freeze unleash the beast last night. Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter ran for an amazing 278...
  • May 21, 2008 ... What took so long? Thread starter sharky60; Start date May 21, 2008. Please register or login. Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba ...
  • Jan 6, 2023 ... Education has long been ignored by contemporary philosophers. That is a myopic view that must change.

Alternatives:

  • Why did you take so long?
  • What made you take so long?
  • What caused the delay?
  • What was the reason for the delay?
  • What was the holdup?

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