falling far behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling far behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is not keeping up with others or is lagging significantly in progress or performance. Example: "In the race for technological advancement, our company is falling far behind our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The city has done well in a number of areas, but in others they are falling far behind," said Jeanne M. Fox, regional administrator for the agency.

The New York Times

The military is falling far behind in its effort to recruit and re-enlist soldiers for some of the most vital combat positions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a new government report.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Today, even as soaring energy and food prices exacerbate the suffering of the world's poor, the richest nations are falling far behind on their aid commitments — and behind their past giving.

The New York Times

The media polls (notoriously inaccurate in primaries there and here) have Bibi falling far behind, but internal polls show only a six-point edge for Arik and it ain't over till it's over.

The New York Times

They have so far avoided falling far behind, mostly because they have been neither horrible nor heroic, merely steadily serviceable, doing just enough to stay in every game they have played.

The New York Times - Sports

In its worst days in 1997 and 1998, Oxford infuriated doctors and hospitals by falling far behind in paying for hundreds of millions of dollars of care for Oxford members.

The New York Times

After two straight years of falling far behind from the start in the Presidents Cup match, the International team took an early 3 1/2-1 1/2 lead today behind a 40-foot birdie putt from Frank Nobilo on the 18th hole that rocked Royal Melbourne Golf Club and handed Mark O'Meara and David Duval their first loss in this event.

The New York Times - Sports

Crescenta Valley was unable to begin the third game the way it had finished the second, once again falling far behind quickly.

Los Angeles Times

The building project has been mired in financial disputes, with construction falling far behind schedule.

The Guardian

He decided to run without Republican Party backing after falling far behind Marco Rubio in the polls.

The New York Times

Stephen Timms, the shadow employment minister, said it was "extremely worrying" that the figures show pay falling far behind inflation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "lagging considerably" or "trailing significantly" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Be careful not to use "falling far behind" when a slight delay or minor setback is meant. The phrase implies a substantial and potentially difficult-to-recover gap. Consider using less emphatic language like "slightly delayed" or "a bit behind schedule" when the situation is less severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling far behind" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating a state of lagging significantly behind others. As Ludwig explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "falling far behind" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a notable lack of progress relative to others. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and scientific writings. To avoid repetition, synonyms such as "lagging considerably" or "trailing significantly" can be used. When writing, ensure the phrase's emphasis aligns with the actual degree of отставания, avoiding its use for minor delays. The phrase serves to highlight substantial discrepancies in performance, alerting audiences to potential issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagging considerably

Replaces "falling" with "lagging" and "far" with "considerably", altering the verb and adverb for similar meaning.

trailing significantly

Substitutes "falling" with "trailing" and "far" with "significantly", changing the verb and adverb while maintaining the overall sense of being behind.

losing ground rapidly

Replaces "falling far behind" with a more active expression implying a quick loss of advantage.

being outstripped notably

Uses a passive construction and more formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning.

slipping substantially

Emphasizes a gradual decline in position or performance.

declining sharply

Focuses on the decreasing trend in a particular metric.

receding noticeably

Suggests a withdrawal or reduction in progress.

dropping substantially back

Adds the word "back" to reinforce the idea of moving away from a leading position.

left in the dust

An idiom suggesting being completely outpaced or surpassed.

left wanting

This alternative focuses on a shortage or deficiency in a particular field or situation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "falling far behind" is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something is lagging significantly in progress or performance compared to others. For example, "If we don't invest in renewable energy, we risk "falling far behind" other countries."

What are some alternatives to "falling far behind"?

You can use alternatives such as "lagging significantly", "trailing considerably", or "losing ground" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "falling behind far" instead of "falling far behind"?

While "falling behind" and "far behind" are both valid phrases, "falling far behind" is the more common and natural-sounding construction. "Falling behind far" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "falling behind" and "falling far behind"?

"Falling behind" indicates a general state of lagging, while "falling far behind" emphasizes a significant and potentially problematic degree of отставания. The addition of "far" intensifies the sense of being left behind.