fallen behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fallen behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has not kept up with a certain standard, pace, or timeline. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have fallen behind on my project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some had fallen behind on rent and mortgage payments.

The New York Times

Dozens had fallen behind and died along the way.

BBC

It turns out deploying cash wasn't all the Ladones had fallen behind on.

Forbes

"They had fallen behind".

The New York Times - Sports

American technology has fallen behind.

The New Yorker

America as a whole has fallen behind.

The Economist

But these days it has fallen behind.

The Economist

But the old continent has fallen behind.

The Economist

In Britain, cable has fallen behind.

The Economist

Shorthand for everything I've fallen behind of.

The New York Times - Arts

That deal has also fallen behind timetable.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fallen behind" to clearly indicate a state of being behind schedule, expectations, or progress. Ensure the context specifies what the subject has fallen behind in.

Common error

Avoid using "fallen behind of". The correct preposition to use after "fallen behind" when specifying what someone has fallen behind in is "in" or "on", depending on the context. For instance, say "fallen behind in math" or "fallen behind on payments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen behind" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a larger clause. It describes a state of lagging or failing to meet a standard or expectation. Ludwig shows its use in diverse scenarios, highlighting its versatility in conveying a sense of being delayed or deficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fallen behind" is a verb phrase used to describe the state of not keeping pace with a standard, schedule, or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. Common alternatives include "lagged behind" and "fell behind". A key writing tip is to use the correct preposition ("in" or "on") after "fallen behind" to specify what someone has fallen behind in. With its neutral register and clear meaning, "fallen behind" is a versatile phrase for expressing delays, deficiencies, and unmet goals. According to Ludwig, the phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagged behind

Similar in meaning, emphasizing a slower pace compared to others.

fell behind

Slightly different tense, but the core meaning of not keeping up is the same.

trailed behind

Implies a physical or metaphorical position at the rear.

lost ground

Suggests a previous advantage has been diminished.

failed to keep pace

More formal, emphasizing the inability to maintain a required speed or standard.

gotten left behind

Suggests a passive being left instead of an active falling behind.

dropped back

Implies a descent from a previous, more advanced position.

was outstripped

Signifies being overtaken or surpassed by others.

slacked off

Emphasizes a reduction in effort, leading to a decline.

declined

General term for reduction, but can imply a falling behind in quality or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "fallen behind" in a sentence?

You can use "fallen behind" to describe a state of lagging or failing to keep pace. For example, "The project has fallen behind schedule" or "Many students have "lagged behind" in their studies due to the pandemic".

What's a good alternative to "fallen behind"?

Alternatives to "fallen behind" include "lagged behind", "fell behind", or "lost ground", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fallen behind of"?

No, it is not correct. The correct usage is "fallen behind in" or "fallen behind on", not "fallen behind of". For example, "He has fallen behind in his studies", not "He has fallen behind of his studies".

What does it mean when something has "fallen behind schedule"?

When something has "fallen behind schedule", it means it is not progressing at the rate that was planned or expected. This could apply to projects, payments, or any other activity with a set timeline.