a second behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a second behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is slightly delayed or lagging in time compared to another person or event. Example: "The runner was a second behind the leader as they approached the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Vonn was 0.48 of a second behind.

The New York Times

Trafeh was six-hundredths of a second behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Svindal was 0.22 of a second behind Jansrud.

The New York Times

Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was 0.67 of a second behind.

The New York Times

Armstrong is less than a second behind Cancellara.

The New York Times - Sports

Touch a 10th of a second behind, and that's it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lap 19: Vettel still less than a second behind Massa.

The Guardian - Sport

Phelps finished more than a second behind Crocker's 50.40 seconds.

The New York Times

Vettel pushed Alonso throughout the race, often at just half a second behind.

The New York Times - Sports

But first came Mancuso, third after the downhill and nearly a second behind Vonn.

The New York Times

Anna Fenninger of Austria was third, 0.57 of a second behind Vonn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing race results or competitive events, use "a second behind" to clearly indicate a small time difference between competitors. It provides a precise measure of how close the competition was.

Common error

Avoid using "a second behind" when describing large time gaps or situations where a more general term like "significantly later" would be more appropriate. This phrase is best reserved for cases where precision matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a second behind" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a temporal relationship. It specifies the degree of lateness or trailing in relation to another event or entity. Ludwig examples showcase its use in sports and racing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a second behind" is a common and correct way to describe a slight temporal or positional difference, predominantly used in news and media contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig. Its primary function is to precisely quantify a small gap, typically in competitive scenarios like sports. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the phrase. While alternatives such as "slightly trailing" or "just behind" exist, "a second behind" offers a specific measure, making it ideal when accuracy is paramount. It's crucial to reserve its usage for instances where the time difference is indeed minimal to avoid contextual misuse. In summary, this phrase provides a clear, concise way to convey proximity in time or position, particularly in situations where even small margins matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just behind

A simpler and more general way to express being nearly aligned.

close behind

Highlights proximity without specifying the exact time difference.

slightly trailing

Emphasizes the trailing aspect more than the time difference.

fractionally slower

Focuses on the slight difference in speed.

marginally lagging

Emphasizes the act of lagging and small differences.

a hair's breadth away

Highlights the extremely small margin of difference.

on the heels of

Suggests close pursuit or immediate succession.

a tick after

Uses "tick" to imply a brief moment, indicating a very short delay.

split seconds later

Focuses on a fraction of a second, making it more precise.

nearly simultaneous

Highlights that two events are very close in time to each other.

FAQs

How can I use "a second behind" in a sentence?

You can use "a second behind" to describe a slight delay in time, such as "The runner finished "a second behind" the leader".

What are some alternatives to saying "a second behind"?

Alternatives include "just behind", "slightly trailing", or "close behind", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "less than a second behind"?

Yes, "less than a second behind" is a correct and common way to emphasize that the time difference is very small. For example, "The car was "less than a second behind" the leader".

What's the difference between "a second behind" and "seconds behind"?

"A second behind" refers to a time difference of one second, while "seconds behind" indicates a difference of more than one second. For example, he was "a second behind", while she was "several seconds behind".