a game behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a game behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in sports contexts to indicate that one team has lost one more game than another team, often in reference to standings or rankings. Example: "After last night's loss, the team is now a game behind the division leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Baltimore (9-4) stayed a game behind Pittsburgh heading into their A.F.C.

The New York Times

Both are a game behind Georgetown.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're still half a game behind them.

The New York Times - Sports

St . Louisis in third, a game behind the Astros.

The New York Times - Sports

Vanderbilt and Tennessee lost to fall a game behind Florida.

The New York Times

The Rangers are a game behind Cleveland for the second A.L. wild-card spot.

The New York Times - Sports

The Twins are 90-60, a game behind the Yankees for the best record in baseball.

The New York Times

Indiana 13-155) pulled half a game behind Washington for third in the Eastern Conference.

The New York Times - Sports

The Ravens (9-4) stayed a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the A.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

The Red Sox fell half a game behind the Yankees atop the division.

The New York Times - Sports

The Titans, half a game behind the Indianapolis Colts in the A.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports standings, use "a game behind" to clearly and concisely indicate how far a team is from the leader. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what they are behind.

Common error

Avoid using "a game behind" in non-sports contexts where the concept of standings or rankings doesn't apply. For example, it would be inappropriate to say "He is a game behind in his studies" instead of "He is lagging behind in his studies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a game behind" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun (typically a team or individual's name). It indicates the position relative to a leader in a competition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, usually in the context of sports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a game behind" is a common and readily understood way to describe a team or individual's position in a competition, specifically how far they trail the leader. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, especially within sports contexts. While its use is primarily found in News & Media sources, remember to avoid literal application of "a game behind" when describing settings outside of formalized rankings or standings. Alternatives like "one game back" can offer slight variations in tone, while phrases such as /s/"slightly+behind" or /s/"trailing+closely" provide options for broader application. Always consider your audience and context to ensure clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one game back

Uses "back" instead of "behind" to indicate the distance from the leader.

trailing by one game

Employs "trailing" to denote the act of following, emphasizing the gap of one game.

one match behind

Substitutes "game" with "match", applicable in sports where matches are the unit of competition.

a single game adrift

Replaces "behind" with "adrift", adding a slightly more figurative and less precise sense.

a game shy of the lead

Uses "shy of" to indicate being just short of the leading position.

one game separating them

Focuses on the separation between the teams, highlighting the narrow margin.

in second place, one game back

Specifies the second-place position while reiterating the one-game deficit.

one win away from tying

Shifts the perspective to the number of wins needed to reach the leader's level.

pursuing by a single game

Highlights the act of pursuing, with a narrow gap of one game.

chasing by one game

Similar to "pursuing", but with a more active and urgent connotation.

FAQs

How is "a game behind" used in sports reporting?

In sports, "a game behind" indicates the difference in wins (or points, depending on the sport) between a team and the leading team in a league or division. It's a simple way to show how close a team is to first place.

What does it mean to be "half a game behind"?

Being "half "a game behind"" typically arises when teams have played an unequal number of games. It reflects a fractional difference in winning percentage.

Are there other ways to say "a game behind" that are less specific to sports?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like /s/"slightly+behind", "a little behind", or "just behind" to indicate a small difference in progress or status.

Is it correct to use "a game behind" outside of sports contexts?

While primarily used in sports, it could be used metaphorically in other competitive contexts, but make sure your audience understands the reference. Otherwise, alternatives like /s/"slightly+behind" or "trailing closely" might be clearer.