falling increasingly behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling 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 are falling increasingly behind their competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

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

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

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

Biochemical Engineering Journal

Looked at like this, the so-called recovery turns out to be no more than another boost for London and more of the same for the regions, which are falling further behind in an increasingly unbalanced economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The "frustrated optimists" describe a country whose people are falling behind, a political system increasingly paralyzed and institutions that seem ever more inadequate to meet ever more intractable challenges.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falling increasingly behind", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is lagging behind in. For example, 'The company is falling increasingly behind in technological innovation'.

Common error

Avoid using "falling increasingly behind" when a subject has already reached the lowest possible point. This phrase best describes a continuous decline, not a static state. Instead, consider phrases like "remaining behind" or "stuck behind".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling increasingly behind" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, specifically highlighting a continuous process of lagging. Examples provided by Ludwig show this phrase in the context of countries, companies, or individuals not keeping pace with progress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "falling increasingly behind" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a progressive decline or lagging. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and its appearance in diverse contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of urgency or concern about a widening gap. When writing, ensure the context makes clear what is being lagged behind and be mindful of using it only when a continuous decline is meant rather than a static state. Consider alternatives like "progressively lagging" or "steadily losing ground" for more formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagging further behind

Direct synonym emphasizing the widening gap and the act of not keeping pace.

progressively lagging

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the decline, highlighting the gradual aspect of "falling behind".

losing ground steadily

Focuses on the concept of losing advantage or position, with 'steadily' underscoring the consistent decline.

slipping further back

Suggests a gradual movement in the wrong direction, implying a loss of previous standing or progress.

becoming progressively distanced

Highlights the growing gap between the subject and others, emphasizing the increasing separation.

declining at an accelerating rate

Focuses on the increasing speed of the decline, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

receding further and further

Emphasizes the continuous and expanding distance, suggesting a retreat or withdrawal from a previous position.

trailing more and more

Implies following behind with an increasing distance, suitable for competitive scenarios.

getting left in the dust

Idiomatic expression emphasizing being outpaced by others, highlighting a significant disparity.

falling further into arrears

Specifically applies to financial or obligation contexts, indicating a growing debt or unfulfilled duty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "falling increasingly behind" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "progressively lagging" or "steadily losing ground". These alternatives maintain the meaning while conveying a more professional style.

Is it grammatically correct to say "falling increasingly behind"?

Yes, "falling increasingly behind" is grammatically correct. It accurately conveys the idea of something or someone progressively lagging or declining compared to others. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

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

"Falling behind" indicates a general state of lagging, whereas "falling increasingly behind" emphasizes that the gap is widening over time. The latter suggests a more urgent or concerning situation.

In what contexts is "falling increasingly behind" most appropriately used?

The phrase "falling increasingly behind" is suitable in contexts where progressive decline or lagging is observed, such as in technology, business, education, or personal development. It is less suitable in situations describing sudden or static states.