fell further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fell further behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has become more disadvantaged or lagged behind in comparison to others over time. Example: "As the competition intensified, the team fell further behind in the standings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They sent a check to the college, and fell further behind on rent.

The New York Times

GQ's National Magazine Company rival, Esquire, fell further behind, down 9.3% year on year to 52,705.

The Guardian

Forced to depend solely on $494.50 a month in unemployment benefits, Ms. Moczo fell further behind, and was soon facing eviction.

The New York Times

Hibs continued to look lively, but they fell further behind following an incisive break.

BBC

As officials diverted the workforce to answering phone calls and issuing corrected bills, collections fell further behind, the audit found.

Los Angeles Times

As officials diverted the workforce to answering phone calls and issuing corrected bills, collections fell further behind, the state report found.

Los Angeles Times

He fell further behind.

The New York Times - Sports

That should have been the catalyst for England to wake up; instead, they fell further behind.

The Guardian - Sport

But other prominent players in pursuit of Woods fell further behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite the changes, sales fell further behind the Toyota Camry, which leads the midsize sedan segment, and the Honda Accord.

The New York Times

They fell further behind, Willis's second penalty success giving the Falcons a thoroughly deserved 13-8 half-time lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fell further behind", ensure the context clearly establishes a point of comparison. Specify who or what is being outpaced to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fell further behind" without clearly establishing the initial state or the entity being surpassed. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell further behind" functions as a verb phrase indicating a progressive decline or loss of position compared to others. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. This is evident in the examples where it describes teams falling behind in sports or companies losing market share.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fell further behind" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe a situation where an entity is losing ground in comparison to others. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially within news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it is important to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity and maximize impact. Consider alternatives like "lagged even more" or "lost more ground" to add nuance. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can effectively use "fell further behind" to convey progressive decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagged even more

This alternative uses "lagged" which directly implies falling behind in progress or achievement, making it a straightforward substitute. The addition of 'even more' emphazises the increasing gap or distance.

lost more ground

This suggests a loss of advantage or progress, suitable in competitive or strategic contexts.

receded further

This emphasizes the idea of moving backward or away, often used in abstract or figurative senses. It is typically used to describe a decline or decrease.

slipped further back

This implies a gradual decline or loss of position, suggesting a lack of stability or control. The expression highlights a gentle but persistent regression.

trailed behind increasingly

This alternative uses "trailed" which evokes the image of following at a distance, emphasizing the continuous and growing gap. It is typically used in contexts where someone or something is trying to catch up.

declined further relatively

This suggests a drop in status or quality compared to others. It highlights a decrease in performance or value relative to a benchmark or peer group.

dropped further down

This highlights the movement from a higher position to a lower one, indicating a reduction in ranking or status.

waned further in comparison

This conveys the idea of diminishing in strength or intensity when compared to others, emphasizing the progressive loss of significance.

regressed further relatively

This implies a return to a former or less developed state in comparison to peers, indicating a setback or reversal.

deteriorated further relatively

This suggests that a condition has become progressively worse when measured against the condition of others. It highlights a decline in health, function, or status.

FAQs

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

You can use "fell further behind" to indicate a decline in position or progress compared to others. For example, "As the competition intensified, our team "fell further behind" in the standings".

What are some alternatives to "fell further behind"?

Alternatives include "lagged even more", "lost more ground", or "slipped further back" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "fall further behind" is correct, but it uses a different tense. "Fall" implies a future or habitual action, while "fell" indicates a past action. Consider the intended timeframe when choosing which to use.

What's the difference between "fell further behind" and "remained behind"?

"Fell further behind" suggests a worsening situation, where the gap is increasing. "Remained behind" indicates that the gap stayed consistent; there was no improvement or decline relative to others.