a slightly behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly behind" is not correct in English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks proper context. Example: "The project is a little behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suddenly, Standford started looking less like a thrusting young buck who just gained mastery over the Smartboard and more like a slightly behind-the-times chemistry teacher who had just figured out how to use the OHP.

Independent

A large negative anomaly when the Sun is nearly above and behind satellite A, slightly on the right side of the satellite when looking in the flight direction.

Earth, Planets and Space

The Sun dependence shows two strong offset anomalies: A large negative anomaly when the Sun is nearly above and behind satellite A, slightly on the right side of the satellite when looking in the flight direction.

Earth, Planets and Space

The case is proceeding on a parallel track, but slightly behind, a similar case filed in federal court in Richmond by Virginia's attorney general.

The New York Times - Health

Often described as a moonsault ura-nage slam, this move sees an attacking wrestler stand slightly behind and facing the side of a standing opponent.

WikiHow

Both u and a fields have a single peak, and the maximum of a is slightly behind that of u.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

The test began with the subject seated in the middle of the chair, feet approximately shoulder width apart and placed on the floor at an angle slightly behind the knees.

Clinical interventions in aging

With a helmet on you have to get in a slightly different position behind the stumps".

The Guardian - Sport

But earlier in the campaign, Mr. Romney was caught offering a slightly different message behind closed doors than was intended for public consumption.

The New York Times

Whereas the Johnson-era material tended towards boozy bonhomie, Scott was often a malevolently misanthropic writer and singer, concealing a slightly terrifying rage behind apparent good humour.

The Guardian - Music

At the end of the 1970's, Manchester bands like the Fall, Throbbing Gristle and especially Joy Division developed music with a brutal, static beat and a sense of hopelessness; New Order, formed by members of Joy Division after the band's lead singer committed suicide, keeps its despair at a slightly ironic remove behind deadpan vocals and music that's both surging and sinister.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe the sentence to use a more complete and grammatically sound expression. For example, instead of saying "The project is a slightly behind", consider saying "The project is slightly behind schedule".

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly behind" without specifying what is being compared. Complete the comparison to provide context and meaning. For example, instead of "The team is a slightly behind", specify "The team is a slightly behind the leading score".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly behind" functions as an incomplete adjectival phrase. It aims to describe something's state of being less advanced or on schedule than something else, but requires a noun or specification to complete its meaning. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is incorrect without further context.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly behind" is grammatically incomplete and requires additional context to be meaningful. As Ludwig AI points out, it's considered incorrect in its standalone form. To use the intended concept effectively, rephrase the sentence to include what is being compared (e.g., "slightly behind schedule"). Consider alternatives like "somewhat lagging" or "marginally trailing" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication. Given its incorrectness, it's not possible to determine usage patterns or authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat lagging

Focuses on the action of lagging, indicating a slower pace or progress.

a little slow

Emphasizes a lack of speed, suggesting a slower pace than desired or expected.

marginally trailing

Highlights the aspect of following behind, with a focus on a minor difference.

somewhat delayed

Specifically refers to a delay, implying a deviation from a planned schedule.

slightly late

Directly indicates lateness, suggesting a minor departure from a designated time.

a shade behind

Uses "shade" to suggest a minor degree of being behind, implying a small difference.

just a step behind

Focuses on the distance, indicating minimal difference

almost on par

Highlights the nearness to being equal, suggesting a small gap in performance or status.

nearly level

Suggests closeness in position or achievement, indicating a small difference.

fractionally slower

Emphasizes the speed element, indicating a minimal difference in pace.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "a slightly behind" in a sentence?

To use the concept correctly, rephrase it to include what is being compared, such as "The project is slightly behind schedule" or "Our team is a little behind the competition". Consider alternatives like "somewhat lagging" or "a little slow".

What's a better way to say something is "a slightly behind"?

Instead of "a slightly behind", use more complete phrases like "slightly behind schedule", "a bit behind expectations", or "somewhat behind the curve". Other alternatives include "marginally trailing" or "somewhat delayed".

Is it grammatically correct to say something is "a slightly behind"?

No, "a slightly behind" is grammatically incorrect because it is an incomplete phrase that requires additional context to be meaningful. A better phrasing involves completing the comparison like "slightly behind schedule" or using an alternative phrase altogether like "slightly late".

What's the difference between "a slightly behind" and "slightly behind schedule"?

"A slightly behind" is an incomplete phrase and grammatically incorrect. "Slightly behind schedule" is a complete, grammatically correct phrase that clearly conveys the idea of being somewhat delayed in meeting a deadline. Consider alternatives such as "just a step behind" in other contexts.