Slightly behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not progressing as planned, but only by a small margin. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project is slightly behind schedule, but we expect to catch up soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Unfortunately," he said, "the Senate is slightly behind schedule".

The New York Times

The hearing concluded slightly behind schedule after not quite everyone who wanted to had made a statement.

The New Yorker

Just slightly behind schedule, Kennedy arrives at Davenport College, rushed and flustered, clad in a gray sweat suit and running shoes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here's some reassuring news for those of us whose career plans are slightly behind schedule: It turns out that peaking too early may kill you.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said the modernization of Jamaica station is also slightly behind schedule, but still on track to be completed in 2005.

The New York Times

Construction for the PDSI project in and around the Building 6 courtyard is slightly behind schedule and has increased slightly in cost, said William J. Anderson, Jr., chief facilities officer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That plant is running well over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

The majority, EY found, are over budget and behind schedule.

The Economist

"Everything's behind schedule.

Huffington Post

I'm really behind schedule.

Vice

The plane landed 45 minutes behind schedule.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Slightly behind schedule" when you want to acknowledge a minor delay without causing undue alarm. It's suitable for project updates or informal reports where precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "Slightly behind schedule" when the delay is significant. Opt for phrases like "significantly delayed" or "considerably behind" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Slightly behind schedule" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate the extent of a delay or deviation from a planned timeline, providing context about the project's progress. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Slightly behind schedule" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate a minor delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, it's frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the delay is indeed minor to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "a little delayed" or "somewhat delayed" can be used for variety. It's a useful and neutral way to manage expectations and maintain transparency in project updates or reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A little delayed

Replaces "slightly behind" with "a little", simplifying the expression.

Somewhat delayed

Uses "somewhat" instead of "slightly", implying a similar degree of delay.

Marginally delayed

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally", indicating a minimal degree of lateness.

A bit late

More informal, replacing "behind schedule" with "late".

Falling behind slightly

Adds the verb "falling", emphasizing the process of becoming delayed.

Running a little late

Emphasizes the continuous action of the subject.

A touch behind

More colloquial, using "a touch" to mean slightly.

A hair behind schedule

Replaces "slightly" with "a hair", implying a minimal difference.

Moderately behind timeline

Swaps "schedule" with "timeline" and "slightly" with "moderately", increasing the formality.

Lagging a bit

Uses "lagging" to indicate falling behind, with "a bit" indicating a small degree.

FAQs

What does "Slightly behind schedule" mean?

It means something is a little delayed or not progressing exactly as planned, but the delay is not substantial.

When is it appropriate to use "Slightly behind schedule"?

Use it when you want to acknowledge a minor delay without causing excessive concern. It's suitable for projects, appointments, or any situation where timing is important.

What are some alternatives to "Slightly behind schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "a little delayed", "somewhat delayed", or "a bit late" depending on the context.

How does "Slightly behind schedule" compare to "Significantly behind schedule"?

"Slightly behind schedule" indicates a minor delay, while "significantly behind schedule" implies a much larger and more concerning delay. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the extent of the lateness.