fall behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall behind schedule" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to explain that a task, project, or event is taking longer than anticipated, or is taking longer than expected. For example: We had hoped to finish the project by the end of the week, but due to unforeseen delays, we have fallen behind schedule.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Mr. Pryor's feet sometimes fall behind schedule.

The New York Times

Its construction did not fall behind schedule, it does not require a large maintenance force.

The New Yorker

Or, if the projects fall behind schedule, there will be chaos.

The New York Times

If they fail or fall behind schedule, NASA would have to rely on Russia or other foreign countries to take its astronauts and cargoes aloft.

The New York Times

As the evening wears on and things fall behind schedule, the stars come thicker and faster and more famous, but they stop briefly or not at all.

The Guardian - Film

How, after almost 10 months on the job, could she still fall behind schedule on any given day and let carefully planned lessons fall apart?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

They were supposed to move into a $585,000 duplex apartment in June 2008, but the developer fell behind schedule.

The New York Times

Carter repealed the ban on transgender military service after a long, internal review that fell behind schedule as military officials struggled to reach a consensus.

The Washington Post

Mr. Rabeca says maintenance workers are so consumed with restringing stolen lines that expansion of electrical service to rural Mozambique risks falling behind schedule.

The New York Times

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

Wikipedia

Not surprisingly, work quickly fell behind schedule.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall behind schedule", clearly state the reason for the delay to provide context and manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "behind schedule" as a verb; it's an adjective phrase. Use "fall behind schedule" to describe the action of becoming delayed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall behind schedule" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a project, task, or event is progressing slower than planned or failing to meet its expected timeline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall behind schedule" is a commonly used verb phrase indicating that a project, task, or event is progressing slower than planned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide context regarding the reasons for the delay to manage expectations. While grammatically sound, it's important not to confuse it with the adjective phrase "behind schedule". Alternatives include phrases like "get delayed", "run late", or "lag behind", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

run late

Emphasizes the lateness of an event or task, often in a more general sense.

be delayed

A passive construction indicating that something is not happening on time.

lag behind

Focuses on the act of trailing or progressing slower than expected, often in comparison to others.

get delayed

Focuses on the state of being delayed, without necessarily implying a comparison to a schedule.

be behind target

Indicates a failure to meet a specific target or goal.

experience delays

Highlights the occurrence of delays without specifying the impact on a schedule.

slip past the deadline

Implies a gradual failure to meet a deadline.

miss the deadline

Specifically refers to failing to meet a set deadline.

stall

Indicates a sudden stop or delay in progress.

not meet expectations

Focuses on failing to meet standards or anticipated outcomes, not specifically deadlines.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall behind schedule" to describe projects, tasks, or events that are not progressing as planned. For example, "The project "fell behind schedule" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What's the difference between "fall behind schedule" and "run late"?

"Fall behind schedule" typically refers to a project or task with a defined timeline, while "run late" can apply to events or appointments that start later than planned.

What are common causes for projects to "fall behind schedule"?

Common causes include unrealistic initial estimates, unexpected problems, resource constraints, and poor communication.

Are there any synonyms I can use in place of "fall behind schedule"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "get delayed", "miss the deadline", or "lag behind" depending on the context.