falls behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falls behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a project or task is not progressing as planned and is delayed. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the construction project falls behind schedule, and we need to reassess our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The city faces millions of dollars in penalties if it falls behind schedule.

The New York Times

Mr. Dean, distracted, darts in and out, and the evening falls behind schedule.

The New York Times

The OSM intervenes only when an initiative falls behind schedule, is over budget, or is not delivering expected results.

Harvard Business Review

PFI is supposed to involve "risk transfer" so that if, say, a building falls behind schedule it's the company that pays -not the government.

The Guardian

For example, a relatively small decline in one person's performance may have a ripple effect on, say, an entire team that falls behind schedule because the ailing member has to skip a meeting.

Harvard Business Review

And Google is famous for its "20% time" (allowing engineers to work one day a week on anything they want a practice that means extra capacity is available if a project falls behind schedule).

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They were supposed to move into a $585,000 duplex apartment in June 2008, but the developer fell behind schedule.

The New York Times

Carter repealed the ban on transgender military service after a long, internal review that fell behind schedule as military officials struggled to reach a consensus.

The Washington Post

Mr. Rabeca says maintenance workers are so consumed with restringing stolen lines that expansion of electrical service to rural Mozambique risks falling behind schedule.

The New York Times

In the next month, the production began falling behind schedule.

Wikipedia

He falls behind schedules most of the time thanks to his fixation with perfection and order.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falls behind schedule" when referring to projects or tasks that have specific timelines or deadlines.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "falls behind schedule" in a passive manner that obscures responsibility. Instead of saying "The project fell behind schedule", consider "The team fell behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances" to clearly identify the cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falls behind schedule" primarily functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes a state or action regarding a project or task's progress relative to its intended timeline. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "falls behind schedule" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a project or task that is not progressing according to its planned timeline. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is frequently used in news and business contexts, indicating delays and potential problems. Alternative phrases include "is delayed" or "misses deadlines". When using the phrase, it's best to specify the reason for the delay. While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice should be avoided for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is delayed

A simple and direct synonym focusing on the delay aspect.

misses deadlines

Highlights the failure to meet specific deadlines.

runs late

Emphasizes the lateness of the project or task.

lags in progress

Focuses on the slow progress rather than explicitly mentioning a schedule.

is slipping

Suggests a gradual decline in adherence to the schedule.

is off track

Indicates a deviation from the planned course or timeline.

fails to meet its target

Focuses on the failure to achieve the goal in the expected timeline.

deviates from the timetable

Emphasizes the departure from a pre-established timetable

is not on target

Highlights the failure to achieve the desired goal or timeline.

is overdue

Stresses that the expected completion time has already passed.

FAQs

How can I use "falls behind schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "falls behind schedule" to describe a project or task that is not progressing as planned. For example, "Due to unexpected delays, the construction project "falls behind schedule"."

What are some alternatives to "falls behind schedule"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is delayed", "runs late", or "misses deadlines", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "falls behind schedule" or "is behind schedule"?

"Falls behind schedule" implies a process of becoming delayed, whereas "is behind schedule" describes a current state of being delayed. The best choice depends on whether you're describing an ongoing process or a static situation.

What causes a project to "fall behind schedule"?

Many factors can cause a project to "fall behind schedule", including unforeseen technical issues, resource constraints, poor planning, or external events like weather or supply chain disruptions.