behind the timeline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behind the timeline" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to something that has not happened within the expected time period. Example sentence: Our team was behind the timeline in completing the project, so we had to work overtime to finish it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most of the agencies first introduced a Volcker Rule proposal in October, months behind the timeline outlined in Dodd-Frank.

The New York Times

A disparate collection of federal regulators first introduced the Volcker Rule in October, months behind the timeline spelled out in the Dodd-Frank Act.

The New York Times

She did not address questions regarding the reasoning behind the timeline for national changes.

Huffington Post

How about on the actual wedding day when the vendors that you secured are falling behind the timeline, while the vendors your planner brought in are doing their jobs?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The preparations for the referendum are far behind schedule and the timeline before the vote has been drastically shortened, with little room for error.

The New York Times

More photos from the cover shoot, including behind-the-scenes shots Penelope's style timeline slideshow.

Huffington Post

Police are still trying to piece together the timeline behind a shooting spree that gripped the Kalamazoo area for several hours on Saturday.

The Guardian

TimeLine Theatre Company graciously provided me a behind-the-scenes viewing of The Normal Heart, directed by Nick Bowling.

Huffington Post

The rest of the STIS repair work was completed without any problems, but the spacewalkers were nearly two hours behind the scheduled timeline, so managers on the ground decided to postpone the task of installing a New Outer Blanket Layers (NOBLs) onto the telescope's outer shell.

Wikipedia

Groups should use all available classroom resources to research the following questions as they relate to the death penalty process (written on the board for easier student access): -What is the timeline of history behind this particular issue?

The New York Times

While it's all well and good to release a video like this a full month after Amanda committed suicide, and almost two years after her blackmail took place, it is extremely unsettling that the producer of this video had been sitting on information, emails, chat logs, images, and videos that all detail the timeline and events behind the blackmail and torment of Amanda Todd.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "behind the timeline" to describe the status of a project or activity that is not progressing as planned.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "behind the timeline" when "behind schedule" is more appropriate. "Timeline" implies a detailed plan with specific dates, while "schedule" is a more general term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind the timeline" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate that something is not progressing according to a predetermined schedule. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in describing delays in projects or events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "behind the timeline" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is not progressing according to a set schedule. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is less common than "behind schedule" and best suited for contexts where a specific, detailed timeline is in place. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the timeline and consider whether a more common alternative might be preferable. Ludwig's examples provide a valuable illustration of its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind schedule

A more concise way of saying the same thing.

falling behind schedule

Focuses on the action of lagging rather than the state of being behind.

lagging behind the schedule

Emphasizes a gradual movement away from the established plan.

not on time

Indicates failure to meet an expectation for punctuality or adherence to a planned progression.

slipping the deadline

Implies gradual failure of a target arrival of some project.

past the due date

Refers specifically to missing a final submission or completion date.

delayed in the process

Indicates holdups in ongoing action.

overdue on a deliverable

Used in professional settings to indicate that something has not been handed in by the required date.

off track

Suggests a deviation from the intended path, not necessarily time-related.

derailed from its progression

Highlights serious problems that make it hard to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "behind the timeline" in a sentence?

You can use "behind the timeline" to describe a project that is not progressing according to its planned schedule. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project is currently "behind the timeline"".

What's a more common alternative to "behind the timeline"?

A more common alternative is "behind schedule", which is generally suitable for most contexts.

Is there a difference between "behind the timeline" and "behind schedule"?

"Behind the timeline" implies a specific, detailed plan with defined dates, whereas "behind schedule" is a more general term for not meeting deadlines.

When is it appropriate to use "behind the timeline" rather than "delayed"?

Use "behind the timeline" when referring to a pre-defined, visually represented schedule. "Delayed" is a broader term that simply means something is happening later than expected. If there isn't a structured "timeline" to compare against, "delayed" might be more appropriate.