a somewhat behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a somewhat behind" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity. Example: "The project is a bit behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the stump in Los Angeles last September, Mr Dole dreamed aloud of emulating the success of the "Brooklyn Dodgers --a somewhat behinDodgers --a reference to a baseball team that has been known as the Los Angeles Dodgers --ar somewhat headed west after the 1957 season.

The Economist

The objective: to get food production moving away from a predicament somewhat behind dead center.

The New York Times

Lagging somewhat behind is evidence that the proponents of open government are being intentional about the third strand: participation and engagement.

The Guardian

Aware of what a train-wreck the G7 summit was, there is already a somewhat frantic behind-the-scenes discussion as to how to handle the NATO meeting.

Vice

The case was the kind of story that many local news operations would cover: a salacious trial featuring well-known people, sexual innuendo and a somewhat embarrassing peek behind the curtain of a prominent New York institution.

The New York Times

Understandable, but it leaves us not entirely sure in what ways this Spalding Gray is more or less "real" than the man onstage, or whether there's a somewhat different creature behind both.

The New York Times - Books

and John Cornyn (Texas), to vote in favor of letting the bill advance, after a somewhat contentious debate behind closed doors.

Huffington Post

Dave Gavitt was the first commissioner, the brains behind a somewhat radical concept, a conference created not for almighty football but for basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

More rationally, we develop our own interests, our own talents, or own set of friends, and stand behind a somewhat different set of standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

... The Bucs were stingy against TEs last season, but with a somewhat unsettled WR situation behind Mike Thomas, Week 1 could be just the time for 37-year-old Ben Watson to shine for the Saints.

The Washington Post

I don't see why you are all putting down Maldanado so, he was faster than Reubens this season, and should have ended up with a few more points than him if reliability had been better and Hamilton didn't throw all caution to the wind everytime he came up behind a somewhat slower car.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a somewhat behind" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "slightly delayed" or "a little behind" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Don't use "a somewhat behind" as a standalone phrase. It typically needs a noun to modify or a context to make sense. For instance, instead of saying 'The project is a somewhat behind', specify what is behind, like 'The project is "a little behind schedule"'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat behind" is grammatically questionable. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's not a complete expression and requires further context to make sense. It attempts to act as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, but lacks grammatical correctness in standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

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 somewhat behind" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it requires additional context to convey a clear meaning and is best replaced with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "a little behind" or "slightly delayed". Given its lack of clear usage and absence from authoritative sources, avoiding this phrase in formal writing is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit behind

Uses the contraction "bit" instead of "little", maintaining a very similar meaning.

a little behind

Uses "little" instead of "somewhat", providing a common and acceptable alternative.

slightly delayed

Replaces "behind" with "delayed", offering a clearer and more grammatically sound alternative.

a touch behind

Employs "touch" to indicate a slight degree of being behind.

somewhat late

Substitutes "behind" with "late", focusing on the aspect of timing.

a shade behind

Uses "shade" to indicate a small degree of being behind.

marginally behind

Employs "marginally" for a more formal tone than "somewhat".

moderately behind

Uses "moderately" to suggest a medium level of being behind.

slightly lagging

Replaces "behind" with the verb "lagging", emphasizing the process of falling behind.

somewhat overdue

Focuses on the aspect of a deadline having passed, using "overdue".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a somewhat behind" to make it grammatically correct?

To correct "a somewhat behind", use alternatives like "a little behind" or "slightly delayed". Ensure the revised phrase fits the context of your sentence.

What are some common mistakes when using phrases similar to "a somewhat behind"?

A common mistake is using such phrases without specifying what is behind. For example, instead of saying "The process is a bit behind", clarify with "The process is "a bit behind schedule"".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use alternatives to "a somewhat behind"?

Alternatives like "slightly delayed" or "a little behind" are appropriate in various contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations, as long as they clearly convey the intended meaning without grammatical errors.

Is "a somewhat behind" ever considered correct in specific dialects or contexts?

While it's possible certain dialects might use variations of this phrase colloquially, "a somewhat behind" is generally not considered standard English. For clarity and correctness, use more conventional alternatives.