a time behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a time behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation where something is delayed or not current, often in relation to schedules or timelines. Example: "The project is running a time behind due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

They would disappear together for minutes at a time, behind closed doors.

The New York Times

ONCE upon a time, behind the door of almost every ranch house on almost every suburban street in America, a beautiful creature could be found.

The Economist

Above all, it taught me to look for the larger stories about a place, a time, behind an individual's personal tale.

The New York Times

The family lived for a time behind a hardware store that Louis owned in St .Albans, Queens. Louis sold the store in 1945.

The New York Times

He worked for a time behind the bar at the drag artist Danny La Rue's nightclub, Winston's, in Mayfair, and for many years did cabaret there.

The Guardian

Among many questions in the case, officials said, is how a second man was able to enter and leave the shower room, despite a hospital security policy that allows only one patient to shower at a time, behind a locked door.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

where you place your hands on a wall with one leg at a time straight behind you in a lunge-like position.

WikiHow

If convicted, he faces a long time behind bars.

The Economist

During this and a subsequent time behind behind bars, his comrades included numerous Vietnamese Communist leaders.

The New York Times

Federal authorities compare him with notorious white-collar crooks like Bernie Madoff and Jeffrey Skilling, and they argue for a long time behind bars.

The New York Times - Magazine

As next month's election nears, there are a few voices saying openly — and carefully — what many have been saying for a long time behind closed doors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a time behind", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is behind in relation to, whether it's a schedule, payment, or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a time behind" without specifying what the delay pertains to. For instance, instead of saying "The project is a time behind", clarify with "The project is a time behind schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a time behind" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a state of being delayed or lagging. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a time behind" is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, and serves to indicate that something is delayed or not on schedule. While not as frequent as alternatives like "behind schedule" or "lagging behind", it is understandable and usable in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. For clarity, it's best to specify what is delayed. When used in more formal writing, synonyms like "delayed" or "off schedule" can improve style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind on time

More explicitly states a lack of progress in relation to a temporal deadline.

behind schedule

Focuses specifically on the state of being delayed relative to a plan.

off schedule

Similar to "behind schedule", but may also imply being ahead.

running late

Emphasizes the act of being delayed in the present moment.

lagging behind

Indicates a slower pace compared to others or a standard.

delayed

A general term for being postponed or held back.

slower pace

Highlights the reduced speed of progress.

out of sync

Suggests a mismatch or lack of coordination with a timeline.

in arrears

Refers to being overdue in payments or obligations.

held up

Implies being stopped or hindered from progressing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a time behind" to indicate something is delayed or not current, like "The project is "a time behind" schedule due to unforeseen issues".

What are some alternatives to "a time behind"?

Alternatives include "behind schedule", "lagging behind", or simply "delayed".

Is it correct to say "a time behind"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct but less common than saying "behind schedule" or "lagging behind". The context should make the meaning clear.

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

"A time behind" is a more literal description of being delayed, while "behind schedule" is an idiom specifically referring to being late on a planned timeline.