fall increasingly behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall increasingly behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is progressively lagging or not keeping up with others over time. Example: "As technology advances rapidly, many companies that fail to innovate may fall increasingly behind their competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ideally, in a multiperiod encounter, he will fall increasingly behind "until eventually he is overcome by events". Alternatively, in a multiple-arena encounter, the practitioner of maneuver warfare can move among the arenas so rapidly that the enemy is never sure where he is being engaged.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And so, starved of full-throated government support, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Sydney have fallen increasingly behind their rivals in Australia and around the world.

The New York Times - Arts

This indicates in a way that there is a generally improving "middle class" of countries when it comes to ICT growth, but that there is also a group that, worryingly, appears to be falling increasingly behind.

TechCrunch

America is falling increasingly behind other countries in international rankings.

Huffington Post

Stainless steel bioreactors increasingly fall behind to their disposable counterparts in pharma research as they do not require cleaning or sterilization.

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Now, fresh data shows that Americans have been tapping their credit cards aggressively, while increasingly falling behind on the payments.

The New York Times

Experts inside and outside the government haven't settled on the reason why borrowers with the most generous type of student loan are increasingly falling behind on their payments.

Huffington Post

The report comes as borrowers with loans directly from the Education Department are increasingly falling behind on their debts, risking a lifetime of wage garnishments and ruined credit profiles as a result.

Huffington Post

Those that fall behind may be increasingly differentiated by race and ethnicity.

Cornell University

In the past five years, an enormous educational industry has taken off to meet the needs and demands of parents who are either frustrated with schools, or fearful that their children will fall behind in an increasingly competitive world.

The New York Times

With the added pressure from MOOCs to get hip or fall behind, schools are increasingly looking to enter and scale in online ed markets quickly and efficiently.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall increasingly behind", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being left behind. Be specific about the area of decline, whether it's in skills, technology, market share, or other measurable aspects. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fall increasingly behind" when the decline is sudden or abrupt. This phrase implies a gradual and progressive decline, so ensure it aligns with the actual scenario you are describing. Use alternatives like "suddenly fail" or "quickly decline" for rapid changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall increasingly behind" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a progressive decline or failure to keep pace. Ludwig AI, which affirms the correctness of this phrase, offers examples that show its use in describing situations where entities are losing ground relative to others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall increasingly behind" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a progressive decline or lagging behind. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While it is versatile, writers should be mindful of the gradual nature implied by "increasingly" and ensure it aligns with the situation being described. Alternative phrases like "lag further behind" or "decline progressively" can offer nuanced variations. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use this phrase to convey the intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lag further behind

Focuses on the action of lagging, implying a growing distance.

trail more and more

Emphasizes the visual aspect of being behind and the continuous increase in distance.

fall further back

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the physical or metaphorical distance.

decline progressively

Highlights the deterioration or weakening aspect.

slip further down

Implies a descent in rank or status.

lose ground steadily

Focuses on the loss of advantage or progress.

become progressively worse

Highlights the worsening condition over time.

get left behind

Suggests a passive experience of being overtaken by others.

erode gradually

Focuses on the slow deterioration of something abstract, like influence or power.

deteriorate incrementally

Stresses the gradual and incremental nature of the decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "fall increasingly behind" to describe a situation where something or someone is progressively lagging or not keeping up with others over time. For instance: "As technology advances rapidly, many companies that fail to innovate may "fall increasingly behind" their competitors."

What are some alternatives to "fall increasingly behind"?

Some alternatives include "lag further behind", "trail more and more", or "decline progressively", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "fall increasingly behind" in formal writing?

Yes, "fall increasingly behind" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the tone and context align with the overall formality of your piece. Consider alternatives if a more impactful or precise term is available.

What's the difference between "fall increasingly behind" and "fall behind"?

"Fall behind" indicates a general state of lagging, while "fall increasingly behind" suggests a continuous and progressive decline over time. The latter emphasizes the ongoing nature of the decline.