fell behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"fell behind" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to fail to keep pace with something or someone, or to be left behind in a race or competition. Example: Despite putting in her best effort, Sarah fell behind during the last lap of the race and ultimately finished in second place.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They fell behind on rent.

The New York Times

She fell behind, and eventually owed $2.666.50.

The New York Times

The family fell behind on rent.

The New York Times

He fell behind, and Beneficial sued.

The New York Times

Washburn fell behind, 2-0.

The New York Times - Sports

Weaver fell behind, 2-0.

The New York Times - Sports

They never fell behind again.

The New York Times - Sports

The Americans fell behind early.

The New York Times - Sports

Heilman fell behind, 3-1.

The New York Times - Sports

He fell behind again right away.

The New York Times

We fell behind but we'll catch up".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fell behind" to describe financial situations, specify the area, such as "fell behind on rent" or "fell behind on mortgage payments" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fall behind" when the action is already completed; use "fell behind" (past tense) instead. For example, instead of "They fall behind on their payments last month", write "They fell behind on their payments last month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell behind" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to maintain pace or progress. Ludwig examples show its use in describing financial arrears, academic struggles, and competitive disadvantages. The Ludwig AI confirms that "fell behind" is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

21%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fell behind" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a failure to maintain pace or progress in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Sports reporting. When writing, be mindful of the specific area where someone fell behind for clarity. Remember to use "fell behind" for past tense situations, not "fall behind". Alternatives such as "lagged behind" or "lost ground" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to keep pace

Directly conveys the inability to maintain the required speed or progress.

couldn't keep up

Indicates an inability to maintain the same level of performance or progress as others.

lagged behind

Indicates a slower pace compared to others, implying a failure to keep up.

trailed behind

Suggests being at the rear, not keeping up with the leaders or the expected pace.

dropped back

Indicates a movement to a position further behind, often implying a loss of momentum.

lost ground

Implies a reduction in advantage or progress, resulting in a less favorable position.

slipped back

Suggests a gradual decline from a previously better position or state.

declined

Suggests a general downturn or decrease in performance or status.

deteriorated

Implies a worsening condition or a decline in quality.

receded

Suggests a movement away or a decline in importance or prominence.

FAQs

What does "fell behind" mean?

The phrase "fell behind" means to fail to keep pace with someone or something, or to be in arrears with payments or obligations.

How can I use "fell behind" in a sentence?

You can use "fell behind" to describe various situations, such as "The student "lagged behind" in class due to illness" or "The company "lost ground" to its competitors".

What are some synonyms for "fell behind"?

Some synonyms for "fell behind" include "lagged behind", "trailed behind", and "lost ground".

Is it correct to say "fall behind" instead of "fell behind"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "fall behind" for present or future situations (e.g., "If you don't study, you will fall behind"), and "fell behind" for past situations (e.g., "He fell behind because he was sick").