Slightly trailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly trailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is lagging behind or not keeping pace, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The runner was slightly trailing behind the leader as they approached the final lap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Dead last on that scale, slightly trailing aunts and uncles, were cousins.

The New York Times

Another poll Monday showed Mr. Giuliani slightly trailing both Mr. McCain and Mitt Romney in Florida, a state that Mr. Giuliani had declared to be his fortress.

The New York Times

The polls have shown Mr. Sanford slightly trailing his opponent, Senator James T. Broyhill, whose bid for the seat was bolstered by his appointment to succeed the late Senator John P. East last summer.

The New York Times

G.M.'s vehicle sales in the United States have increased 13percentt so far this year, slightly trailing an overall increase in the market, which is about 15percentthroughgh July.

The New York Times

Mr. Lazio was noticeably more combative than he was in the second debate, perhaps reflecting the pressure he may feel because of polls that show him slightly trailing Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

In the winter, the current focus switches from a situation where it was leading the noon meridian to one where it is usually slightly trailing behind it.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In dollar terms, that was the largest annual increase ever, but as a percentage increase it slightly trailed 2008.

The New York Times

But sales of Oracle's core database product slightly trailed estimates, and Oracle shares dropped in after-hours trading.

The New York Times

But the state actually slightly trailed the nation in private-sector job growth during the governor's first two years in office.

The New York Times

It's not a surprise but still significant that the United States rates essentially at the top (its score of 4.6 just slightly trails the 4.8 of the Netherlands) and far exceeds those of authoritarian regimes such as those of Russia, China and Egypt.

Forbes

We will get the Nationwide house prices survey, data from the Bank of England on the funding for lending scheme and – in perhaps slightly less trailed news – there is also Wednesday's AGM at Travis Perkins, the building materials group that sounds more like a pair of butlers.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly trailing" to indicate a small margin or difference, especially in competitive or quantitative contexts. For instance, when describing market share, election results, or race positions.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly trailing" when the margin is substantial. It is inappropriate if the subject is significantly behind; instead, opt for phrases like "considerably behind" or "far behind".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly trailing" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate the degree to which something is behind or lagging. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing positions or progress in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly trailing" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a marginal degree of being behind. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "marginally behind" or "somewhat lagging" exist, "slightly trailing" offers a specific nuance of proximity and potential catch-up. When using this phrase, ensure that the margin genuinely reflects a minor difference to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly lagging behind

Adds redundancy for emphasis, reinforcing the minor degree of lagging.

fractionally behind

Highlights a very small, almost negligible difference.

marginally behind

Indicates being a small amount behind, focusing on the quantitative aspect of the difference.

modestly trailing

Indicates a moderate degree of trailing, maintaining a formal tone.

somewhat lagging

Emphasizes a small degree of delay or insufficient progress.

only just behind

Emphasizes that the margin of difference is very small and almost insignificant.

just behind

Highlights the proximity of being behind, suggesting the gap is minimal.

a little behind

Uses simpler language to convey a small degree of being behind.

nearly keeping pace

Focuses on the closeness to maintaining the same level or speed.

a touch behind

Uses a more informal tone, indicating a minimal difference.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly trailing" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly trailing" to describe a situation where something is a small amount behind something else. For example: "In the polls, candidate A is "slightly trailing" candidate B."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slightly trailing"?

Alternatives include "marginally behind", "somewhat lagging", or "just behind", each conveying a similar meaning of being a small amount behind.

Is it correct to say "slightly trailing behind"?

While grammatically correct, "slightly trailing behind" is somewhat redundant. The word "trailing" already implies being behind, so using "slightly trailing" is generally sufficient. However, using "slightly trailing behind" is acceptable for emphasis.

What's the difference between "slightly trailing" and "considerably trailing"?

"Slightly trailing" indicates a small difference or margin, whereas "considerably trailing" implies a much larger and more significant gap. Use "slightly" when the difference is minimal and "considerably" when the difference is substantial.