a year behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a year behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a project or task is not completed by the expected deadline and is delayed by a year. Example: "The construction of the new bridge is a year behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She couldn't understand how her son had fallen a year behind schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

By some measures, the Vogtle project is more than a year behind schedule, they noted.

The New York Times

It has 1,080 customers waiting patiently for a Roadster, which is a year behind schedule.

The New York Times

The tower should be completed in the third quarter of 2006, about a year behind schedule.

The New York Times

One of the projects – at Abbotsfield school in Uxbridge, west London – was a year behind schedule.

The Guardian

About 100 of the chargers have been installed, though the project is about a year behind schedule.

The New York Times

Mr. Dermody said the L.I.R.R. should have all 678 that have been ordered by 2007, a year behind schedule.

The New York Times

A new automated machine on order will work three times faster, but the project will still be at least a year behind schedule.

The Economist

Although SmithKline's collaboration with a genomics company, Human Genome Sciences, set up in 1993, is a year behind schedule, it is yielding promising results.

The Economist

The company declined to specify the length of the latest setback to the A380 program, already more than a year behind schedule.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, development of the plane is more than a year behind schedule, and the jet has not yet made its first test flight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a year behind schedule", ensure the context clearly establishes what project or activity is delayed. For instance, specify "The construction project is a year behind schedule" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a year behind schedule" if the delay is more or less than a year. Be precise about the duration; use "six months behind schedule" or "two years behind schedule" as appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a year behind schedule" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent of the delay. Ludwig AI shows it is commonly used to describe the state of projects, tasks, or events that are not progressing as planned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a year behind schedule" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a delay of one year in a project or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently used in news and media contexts to report on timelines and project statuses. While suitable for general communication, it often appears in more formal discussions or reports. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the delayed subject is clearly identified. To avoid ambiguity, be specific about the duration of the delay. Consider alternatives like "one year behind", "delayed by a year", or "a year overdue" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one year behind

Shorter version; omits "schedule" but implies it.

delayed by a year

Focuses on the action of delaying, rather than the state of being behind.

a year overdue

Emphasizes that the deadline has passed.

running a year late

Highlights the continuous nature of the delay.

twelve months behind

More specific, using months instead of years.

a year off track

Uses a different metaphor to describe the delay.

fallen a year behind

Focuses on the action of falling behind in the timeline.

a year adrift

Emphasizes the lack of a fixed schedule or plan.

a year in arrears

Indicates a debt or obligation is a year late.

a year delayed

Focuses solely on the amount of time delayed.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "a year behind schedule"?

Being "a year behind schedule" means that a planned activity or project is delayed and will be completed one year later than initially expected.

What can I say instead of "a year behind schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "one year behind", "delayed by a year", or "a year overdue" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a year behind schedule"?

Yes, the phrase "a year behind schedule" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

How do I properly use the term "a year behind schedule" in a sentence?

Use the phrase to describe something that is delayed by one year. For example: "The project is "a year behind schedule" due to unforeseen circumstances."