fallen further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fallen further behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has lagged more significantly compared to others over time. Example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many companies have fallen further behind their competitors in terms of innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

And if she had kept winning in Melbourne, missing more class and fallen further behind?

The New York Times

As the IRS has shifted more employees into answering phones, it has fallen further behind on taxpayer correspondence; its inventory of letters to be worked climbed 62% between the end of 2007 and 2009, Olson calculates.

Forbes

As Americans have worked harder they have fallen further behind.

The New York Times

The territory's economy, moreover, has fallen further behind the national one over the past three decades.

The Economist

And Pringles has fallen further behind Frito Lay's best-selling potato chips, according to Information Resources.

The New York Times

So even as African countries have fallen further behind economically, some have begun to catch up in other areas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

So are women getting ahead or falling further behind?

The Guardian

Every summer that children spend without learning, they fall further behind, and the losses add up.

The New York Times

The Bundesliga has to be careful not to fall further behind, I think.

The Guardian - Sport

GQ's National Magazine Company rival, Esquire, fell further behind, down 9.3% year on year to 52,705.

The Guardian

They sent a check to the college, and fell further behind on rent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fallen further behind", ensure that the context clearly indicates the benchmark or standard against which the subject is lagging. For example, specify which competitors or objectives are being missed.

Common error

Avoid using "fallen further behind" without clearly specifying what the subject is falling behind in relation to. Without a clear reference point, the phrase becomes vague and loses its impact. For instance, instead of saying 'The project has fallen further behind', specify 'The project has fallen further behind its initial timeline'.

Linguistic Context

Fallen further behind functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of progressive decline or lagging in comparison to a specific benchmark. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, as seen in various examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fallen further behind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a state of progressive decline relative to a specific benchmark. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reference point. Common errors include omitting the clear reference. Alternatives like "lagged behind even more" and "dropped further back" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Ensure your writing is clear and effective by following best practices and avoiding common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagged behind even more

Emphasizes the act of lagging with an added degree of intensity.

trailed even further behind

Adds emphasis to the act of trailing or following at a distance.

dropped further back

Focuses on the idea of dropping to a lower position.

slipped further down

Highlights a gradual decline in rank or status.

declined even more

Stresses the concept of deterioration or worsening.

lost even more ground

Implies a loss of advantage or progress.

receded further

Suggests a movement away from a leading position.

deteriorated further

Highlights the worsening condition or state.

became more distanced

Emphasizes increasing separation or alienation.

grew increasingly distant

Focuses on the increasing gap or separation.

FAQs

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

You can use "fallen further behind" to describe a situation where someone or something is lagging more significantly compared to others over time. For example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many companies have "fallen further behind" their competitors in terms of innovation."

What are some alternatives to "fallen further behind"?

You can use alternatives like "lagged behind even more", "dropped further back", or "declined even more" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "fallen further behind" in formal writing?

Yes, "fallen further behind" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reporting and analytical contexts. However, ensure that the language is precise and the reference points are clear.

What is the difference between "fallen further behind" and "lagged behind"?

"Fallen further behind" implies a greater degree of separation or decline compared to "lagged behind". The former suggests that the gap has widened, while the latter simply indicates a state of being behind.