falling well behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falling well behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is significantly lagging or not keeping pace with others. Example: "In the race, she found herself falling well behind the leading competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Trump's call for a hiring freeze didn't get into nuances like the federal workforce size falling well behind population growth or critical positions.

The Washington Post

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

This has been reversed, with substantial means-testing of benefits and tax credits, and the value of the remaining universal benefits falling well behind earnings.

The Guardian - Opinion

The result of all these factors was that the United States, slowly but certainly, began falling well behind countries like Sweden, South Korea, and Japan when it came to affordable, abundant bandwidth.

MIT Technology Review

When, a few years ago, the city began to realise it was falling well behind on its Olympic pledges, consultants were called in, and a myriad of solutions proposed.

The Guardian

I inspected a terrace property the other day where the tenant was putting a crippling £300 on their electric meter every month as well as falling well behind on their rent.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The department falls well behind the national average.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

The Economist

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falling well behind" to clearly indicate a significant disparity or lack of progress compared to others. This phrase is effective in emphasizing the extent of the отставание.

Common error

Avoid using "falling well behind" when the отставание is minor or insignificant. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the отставание to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling well behind" primarily functions as a verb phrase that describes a state of отставание or lagging significantly compared to others. It is often used to indicate a lack of progress or a failure to keep pace, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "falling well behind" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a significant отставание or lack of progress. According to Ludwig AI, it conveys concern and highlights a notable deficiency across various contexts, primarily in news, formal business settings, and scientific domains. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where the отставание is substantial to maintain precision and avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "lagging significantly" or "trailing far behind" can be used to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagging significantly

Focuses on the act of lagging, emphasizing the difference in progress or position.

trailing far behind

Highlights the trailing aspect, suggesting a considerable distance between the subject and others.

losing ground rapidly

Emphasizes the quick pace at which the subject is losing its position or advantage.

slipping further back

Suggests a gradual decline and increasing distance from the forefront.

being outpaced considerably

Focuses on the aspect of being surpassed in speed or progress to a notable extent.

becoming increasingly distant

Highlights the growing separation and lack of proximity in terms of progress or achievement.

descending in the ranks

Specifically implies a downward movement in a hierarchical structure or competition.

receding noticeably

Emphasizes the noticeable retreat or decline from a previous position.

fading into the distance

Suggests a diminishing presence and a loss of prominence or relevance.

getting left behind

Implies that something or someone is failing to keep up with a certain pace or standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "falling well behind" to describe a situation where something is lagging significantly compared to others. For example: "Our sales are "falling well behind" our competitors this quarter".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "falling well behind"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lagging significantly", "trailing far behind", or "losing ground rapidly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "falling well behind" always negative in connotation?

Yes, "falling well behind" generally carries a negative connotation, as it implies a failure to keep pace or maintain a competitive position. However, the specific impact depends on the context.

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

"Falling behind" indicates a general отставание, while "falling well behind" emphasizes a more significant and pronounced отставание. The use of "well" intensifies the degree of the отставание.