always behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something consistently fails to meet deadlines or timeframes. Example: "Despite our best efforts, the project has been always behind schedule, causing frustration among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Bill Clinton's aides worked without sleep and always behind schedule.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cole was always behind schedule, a procrastinator and a perfectionist who took pride in his craft and managed to turn out his monthly quota only by working for punishing all-night stretches.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That plant is running well over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

The majority, EY found, are over budget and behind schedule.

The Economist

That project is running well over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

Many are already over budget and behind schedule.

The Economist

"Everything's behind schedule.

Huffington Post

I'm really behind schedule.

Vice

The plane landed 45 minutes behind schedule.

Huffington Post

In the next month, the production began falling behind schedule.

Wikipedia

"MDG target on sanitation is seriously lagging behind schedule.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While widely understood, alternatives might be more suitable in formal or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "always behind schedule" without clearly specifying the area of delay. For instance, saying "the project is always behind schedule" is effective, but simply stating "it's always behind schedule" leaves room for confusion. Clarity is key in ensuring effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always behind schedule" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. Ludwig's examples show it describes the state of something consistently failing to meet deadlines or stay on track. It indicates a habitual condition of lateness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always behind schedule" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a state of consistent lateness or failure to meet deadlines. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English and is considered to follow standard grammar rules. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "constantly lagging" or "perpetually late". When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what is being delayed to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constantly lagging

Focuses on the continuous aspect of falling behind; slightly less specific regarding schedules.

perpetually late

Emphasizes the chronic lateness but doesn't directly mention a structured schedule.

habitually delayed

Highlights the habitual nature of the delays, similar to being "always behind".

chronically overdue

Stresses the overdue nature of tasks or projects on a persistent basis.

in a constant state of delay

Illustrates the continuous condition of being late.

invariably running late

Indicates a consistent pattern of lateness.

consistently overdue

Highlights the consistency of not meeting deadlines.

routinely postponed

Emphasizes the routine nature of the delays, a subtle shift in focus from the schedule itself.

in a perpetual backlog

Implies a continuous accumulation of unfinished work, leading to delays.

never on time

Simple way of saying that a task is always behind schedule.

FAQs

What does "always behind schedule" mean?

The phrase "always behind schedule" means that someone or something consistently fails to meet deadlines or stay on track with a planned timeline. It suggests a recurring pattern of lateness or delays.

How can I use "always behind schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "always behind schedule" to describe projects, people, or events that consistently run late. For example: "The construction project is "always behind schedule" due to unforeseen complications."

What are some alternatives to "always behind schedule"?

Some alternatives to "always behind schedule" include "perpetually late", "chronically overdue", or "constantly lagging". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "always behind the schedule"?

While understandable, the more common and grammatically sound phrase is "always behind schedule". Using "the" implies a specific schedule, which may not always be the case. Stick to "always behind schedule" for broader applicability.