fail to keep pace

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail to keep pace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when someone or something is not able to keep up with another person or thing. For example: "Although the runners were evenly matched at the beginning of the race, one of them quickly began to fail to keep pace with the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

While prices rise, wages fail to keep pace.

The Guardian

Grants will continue to fail to keep pace with increases in college costs, causing a severe decline in college affordability.

The New York Times

Why do so many well-resourced, historically strong companies fail to keep pace with digital-native challengers?

Harvard Business Review

He always specified that a long-term stagnation, in which prices fail to keep pace with inflation, might be the most likely outcome.

The New York Times

These budgetary problems increase the likelihood that the Pell Grant program will fail to keep pace with increases in college costs under either candidate.

The New York Times

He adds: "If we fail to keep pace – fail to understand and influence the spirt of the age – we will be rightly punished by the electorate".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Schools that failed to keep pace were to be labeled as failing, and eventually their principals fired and staffs dismantled.

The New York Times

Worker productivity has risen while wages have failed to keep pace with the cost of living.

University of California, Berkeley

But the capital's transport systems have failed to keep pace.

The Economist

But shares fell after trading revenue failed to keep pace with that of American rivals.

The New York Times

But shares fell as trading revenue failed to keep pace with that of its U.S. rivals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider specifying why something "fail[s] to keep pace". Is it due to lack of resources, technological limitations, or other factors?

Common error

Avoid embedding "fail to keep pace" within overly complex sentences. Simpler sentence structures enhance readability and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to keep pace" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an inability or failure to maintain a certain level, speed, or standard. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to keep pace" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes an inability to maintain a certain level or speed. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is acceptable in formal and informal contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media sources. The phrase functions as a verb phrase and serves to highlight a deficit or lack of synchronization. While various alternative phrases exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning is crucial for precise communication. To ensure clarity, specify the subjects being compared when using this phrase. Overall, "fail to keep pace" is a versatile expression for conveying the concept of falling behind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall behind

Replaces "fail" with a more direct verb indicating a decline in position or progress.

lag behind

Similar to "fall behind", but emphasizes a slower movement or development.

cannot keep up

Uses a more active voice to express the inability to maintain the same level.

struggle to maintain

Highlights the difficulty in keeping pace, suggesting effort is required.

be unable to match

Focuses on the inability to equal or be similar to something else.

lose ground

Implies a loss of advantage or position compared to others.

miss the beat

An idiomatic expression suggesting a failure to synchronize or understand.

be outstripped

A more formal term for being surpassed or exceeded.

not measure up

Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

dwindle

Emphasizes a gradual decrease or decline in the ability to compete.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to keep pace" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to keep pace" to describe situations where something is unable to maintain the same level or rate as something else. For example, "If wages "fail to keep pace" with inflation, the purchasing power of individuals decreases".

What are some alternatives to "fail to keep pace"?

Some alternatives include "fall behind", "lag behind", or "cannot keep up", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fail to keep pace" or "failed to keep pace"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "fail to keep pace" is used in the present tense, while "failed to keep pace" is used in the past tense. The choice depends on the time frame you are referring to.

What's the difference between "fail to keep pace" and "struggle to keep pace"?

"Fail to keep pace" indicates an inability to maintain the same level, whereas "struggle to keep pace" suggests difficulty in doing so, implying an effort is being made but the outcome is uncertain.