fall far behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall far behind" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone or something is far behind in achieving a goal or keeping up with expectations. For example, "He fell far behind the other students in math, so he had to spend extra time after school with the tutor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Maybe they'll do that if they fall far behind.

The New Yorker

Complacent managers allowed its business to stagnate and fall far behind those of its rivals.

The Economist

Even Japan has large sectors of its economy that fall far behind the world's best competitors.

Harvard Business Review

The secret: do not fall far behind and establish the run.

The New York Times - Sports

The profession, once highly regarded, has seen salaries fall far behind other jobs requiring a higher-education degree.

The Economist

If athletics continues to occupy our waking hours, we will fall far behind the European and Asian countries in creating new ideas and products.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Over time, the pedicabs fell far behind.

The New Yorker

Once the world's leader in science education, the United States has fallen far behind.

The New York Times

Laws governing deepwater drilling have fallen far behind the technology and the attendant risks.

The New York Times - Science

Because of our shifting anxiety over Danzi, Warsaw, Paris and London, we have fallen far behind on our correspondence.

The New Yorker

"We had fallen far behind our industry peers in many areas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall far behind" to clearly express a significant deficit or lack of progress compared to a benchmark or competitor.

Common error

Avoid using "fall far behind" when the difference is minimal. This phrase emphasizes a substantial gap, so ensure the context justifies its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall far behind" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state of lagging or failing to keep pace with others. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fall far behind" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant отставание in progress or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on the substantial gap. Consider alternatives like "lag significantly" or "be left in the dust" to fine-tune your message. The frequency of examples indicates that it is a very common expression, suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lag significantly

Focuses on the act of lagging, emphasizing a considerable gap.

trail considerably

Highlights the trailing aspect and a notable distance between entities.

be left in the dust

Uses a more figurative expression to convey being significantly outpaced.

fall by the wayside

Indicates a failure to progress or succeed, resulting in being left behind.

lose ground rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which one is losing their position or advantage.

be outstripped by

Highlights being surpassed or exceeded by someone or something else.

be overshadowed completely

Stresses the complete dominance of one entity over another, causing the latter to fade.

pale in comparison

Implies that something is much weaker or less significant when compared to something else.

become second-rate

Indicates a decline in quality or status, leading to being considered inferior.

be eclipsed entirely

Suggests that something is completely overshadowed and no longer noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall far behind" to describe a situation where someone or something is significantly lagging in progress or achievement. For example, "If we don't invest in technology, we will "fall far behind" our competitors".

What are some alternatives to "fall far behind"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lag significantly", "trail considerably", or "be left in the dust". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fall behind" or "fall far behind"?

"Fall behind" indicates simply not keeping pace. "Fall far behind" emphasizes a much larger gap or deficit. Use "fall far behind" when the degree of lagging is significant.

What does it mean for a country to "fall far behind" in education?

It means that the country's educational system is not adequately preparing its students compared to other countries. This could involve lower test scores, fewer students pursuing higher education, or a lack of skilled workers.