Barely lagging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Barely lagging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is only slightly behind or delayed compared to something else. Example: "The project is barely lagging behind schedule, and we should be able to catch up with a little extra effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The subject of thermal conductivity, too, is barely touched upon, and as lagging is of extreme importance to the engineer, the value of the book would have been considerably increased by the inclusion of a few well-chosen experiments on this subject.

Nature

There's barely a lag on this album, which is split roughly equally between the heart-rending — like the devastating "Mother's Day" and the neo-traditionalist "Stop Cheatin' On Me" — and the rowdy.

The New York Times - Arts

There was barely any lag time in between the speaker saying a phrase and the Buds' hearing those words and translating them into the appropriate language.

Forbes

Think of it as a new form of LCD that has e-ink properties – readability, low-power cost, and barely any lag – in full color.

TechCrunch

The visual cuteness can be overlooked, but Mr. Stoltzman has a way of delaying attacks and lagging behind the movement in a way that is barely perceptible but inevitably centers one's attention more on the player than the played.

The New York Times - Arts

Gains in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in general lagged or barely exceeded the national median.

The New York Times

GE, in contrast, lags with barely a fifth of the market, despite having a new engine design.

The Economist

WITH barely a fortnight to go before the general election, the ruling Social Democrats, who have been lagging well behind for most of the past eight months, are now running neck and neck with the centre-right Christian Democrats.

The Economist

So Europe in 2013 is doing barely better than Europe in 1935 — and all indications are that by next year recovery will be lagging behind what was achieved in the Great Depression.

The New York Times

Lagging with the lagging.

The Guardian

"Hedi's lagging behind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely lagging" when you want to emphasize that something is only slightly behind expectations or a benchmark, suggesting a small and potentially insignificant difference.

Common error

Avoid using "barely lagging" when the actual delay or shortfall is significant. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the difference is truly minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely lagging" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the degree to which an action or process is behind schedule or expectations. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely lagging" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for conveying that something is only slightly behind or delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While examples are currently limited, it can be effectively used in a variety of contexts to understate a small discrepancy. Consider alternative phrases such as "slightly trailing" or "just behind" to add nuance to your writing. Be sure to use "barely lagging" only when the delay or shortfall is truly minimal to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly trailing

Indicates a small difference in position or progress; emphasizes the minimal gap.

Just behind

Highlights the proximity to the leading element; suggests a close following.

Marginally slower

Focuses on the pace; implies a near-identical speed with a minor reduction.

Hardly trailing

Emphasizes how small the delay is, almost negligible.

Minimally behind

Highlights the small margin by which something is behind.

Scarcely lagging

Emphasizes that there is very little lag.

Nearly keeping pace

Suggests close synchronicity, almost at the same rate.

Almost keeping up

Indicates the effort to maintain speed; conveys a sense of striving to catch up.

Not far behind

Highlights the closeness in distance or position; emphasizes the potential to catch up easily.

Only just lagging

Indicates the lag is very recent and might soon disappear.

FAQs

How can I use "barely lagging" in a sentence?

"Barely lagging" is used to indicate something is only slightly behind. For example: "The project is "barely lagging" behind schedule."

What's a synonym for "barely lagging"?

Alternatives include "slightly trailing", "just behind", or "marginally slower" depending on the context.

Is "barely lagging" formal or informal?

The phrase "barely lagging" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What's the difference between "barely lagging" and "significantly lagging"?

"Barely lagging" implies a small difference or delay, while "significantly lagging" suggests a substantial and potentially concerning gap. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the difference.