fallen well behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fallen well 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 standard, expectation, or competition. Example: "In the race for technological advancement, our company has fallen well behind our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But T-Mobile has fallen well behind Sprint in its fight for users.

The New York Times

Construction firms, utilities, telecoms, farmers and the health-care system have fallen well behind America in measures of productivity.

The Economist

Today, however, bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman Zawahiri, have fallen well behind their younger followers worldwide.

The Washington Post

Angelos owns the Baltimore Orioles, who have fallen well behind the Yankees in the American League East standing.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, reconstruction has fallen well behind the pace in Kosovo after NATO's confrontation with Serbia.

The New York Times

It was the Rangers' first goal in their final exhibition game Wednesday, after they had fallen well behind Mettalurg Magnitogorsk.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The department falls well behind the national average.

The Guardian

They fell well behind the Conservatives, who dropped only 16 seats down to 115 seats.

The Guardian

The climb was gradual at first, but it took just three minutes for me to fall well behind.

The New Yorker

Yet a recent report from Hawkamah, a corporate-governance institute headed by Mr Saidi, concluded that regional business practices fall well behind Western standards of transparency and accounting.

The Economist

Now Craig Kieswetter has fallen lbw to Callum Thorp for 42 and at 214-6 thomeome side are in danger of falling well behind on first innings.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fallen well behind", consider the tone of your writing. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying failure or underperformance. If you need to convey a more neutral sentiment, consider using alternatives such as "lagged significantly" or "trailed far behind".

Common error

While "fallen well behind" is acceptable in most contexts, it might sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "behind" or "lagging" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen well behind" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of lagging or trailing. It describes a situation where something is significantly behind a certain standard, expectation, or competitor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fallen well behind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies a significant lag or deficit. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While common in news, sports, and business domains, it's essential to consider the tone and audience when employing this phrase. Alternatives like "lagged significantly" or "trailed far behind" can offer a more neutral sentiment. Remember to specify what the subject has "fallen well behind" in to maintain clarity. While the phrase is usually considered neutral, overusing it in informal settings could sound overly formal. Consider simpler alternatives in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dropped significantly behind

This alternative is a more verbose restatement of the original phrase.

lagged significantly

This alternative emphasizes the extent of the gap or distance.

trailed far behind

This alternative highlights the act of following at a considerable distance.

fallen far short

This alternative focuses on the failure to achieve a desired target or standard.

failed to keep pace

This alternative describes an inability to maintain the same rate of progress.

slipped considerably

This alternative suggests a decline in performance or position.

lost ground

This alternative describes a reduction in advantage or progress.

been outstripped

This alternative indicates being surpassed or exceeded by someone or something.

receded substantially

This alternative suggests a retreat or decline in importance or value.

languished behind

This alternative suggests a prolonged state of being behind, with a hint of stagnation.

FAQs

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

When something has "fallen well behind", it means that it has lagged significantly or failed to keep pace with a standard, expectation, or competitor. It implies a noticeable gap or deficit in progress or achievement.

What can I say instead of "fallen well behind"?

You can use alternatives like "lagged significantly", "trailed far behind", or "fallen far short" depending on the context.

Is "fallen well behind" grammatically correct?

Yes, "fallen well behind" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English. It follows standard verb conjugation rules.

How to use "fallen well behind" in a sentence?

You can use "fallen well behind" to describe a variety of situations where something has not kept up with a standard or expectation. For example: "Our company has "fallen well behind" in adopting new technologies."