behind the times

USAGE SUMMARY

"behind the times" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is outdated or out of touch with modern trends or developments. For example: My aunt's tastes in fashion are very traditional - she's definitely behind the times.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So behind the times.

The New York Times

Apparently I'm behind the times.

The New York Times - Arts

Behind the Times.

Columbia University

Its infrastructure is behind the times.

The New York Times - Sports

Yale is behind the times.

The New York Times

I was behind the times, of course.

The Washington Post

This is so behind the times.

The New York Times

Obama's televised campaign speech Monday night was behind the times.

The New York Times

"This state is way behind the times," he said.

The New York Times - Health

The show is 10 years behind the times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Archie Andrews parody Archer explains to a behind-the-times Goodman, "You've been away too long.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "behind the times", consider the specific area in which something is outdated (e.g., technology, fashion, ideas) to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "behind the times" it's necessarily bad. Sometimes, older methods or ideas can still be valuable or relevant in specific situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind the times" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to describe a person, object, or idea that is outdated or not current with modern trends. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly and effectively conveys a sense of being out of touch.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "behind the times" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something outdated or out of touch with current trends. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. As evidenced by numerous examples from diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Forbes, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, indicating its relevance in contemporary discussions. When employing the phrase, it's beneficial to specify the context of being outdated to enhance clarity and avoid unintended negative connotations. Alternatives include "old fashioned" and "out of date".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of date

Focuses on being outdated or not current, similar to "behind the times".

not up-to-date

Directly indicates a lack of current information or knowledge.

old-fashioned

Emphasizes adherence to older styles or customs.

behind the curve

Indicates a lack of awareness or understanding of current trends.

outdated

Highlights the condition of being no longer current or applicable.

out of touch

Emphasizes a lack of connection with modern trends or realities.

obsolete

Stresses that something is no longer in use or produced.

lagging behind

Highlights the aspect of falling behind in progress or development.

antiquated

Implies being very old and no longer useful or suitable.

archaic

Suggests belonging to an earlier time; ancient.

FAQs

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

You can use "behind the times" to describe something that is outdated or not current. For example, "His fashion sense is a bit "old fashioned" and "out of date", he's really "behind the times"."

What is a good alternative to "behind the times"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "out of date", "old fashioned", or "outdated" as alternatives to "behind the times".

Is it correct to say someone is "behind the times"?

Yes, it is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used expression. Ludwig AI confirms that "behind the times" is a correct and usable phrase in English.

What does it mean to be "behind the curve" and how does that relate to "behind the times"?

Being "behind the curve" and "behind the times" both imply a lack of awareness or understanding of current trends and developments. However, "behind the curve" often refers to a specific skill or knowledge area, while "behind the times" is more general.