felt behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"felt behind" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of being left behind or falling behind in comparison with someone else. For example: "After studying for five hours, I felt behind when all my classmates had already finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Only 22, Everman still felt behind.

The New York Times - Magazine

The solid whack I felt behind me took me by surprise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But others reflect the heavy melancholy Kline felt behind the clown's mask.

The New York Times - Arts

"I felt behind the game," said Ms. Eddy, a health care administrator from Needham, Mass.

The New York Times

The effects of the squeeze have, then, been mostly felt behind closed doors, but are nonetheless real.

The Guardian

— and this made him vigilant and therefore clumsy as he unbuttoned her blouse and felt behind her back for the metal hooks fastening her bra.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

If you miss newly published papers, you feel behind.

Cornell University

Some LGBTQ people may feel behind in their career development relative to their straight peers.

Columbia University

Others said his anti-Semitic comments were simply reflecting how people feel behind closed doors.

The Washington Post

One rhapsodized about the power women feel behind the wheel of massive sport utility vehicles.

The New York Times

Yet -- despite their meeting -- Ms. Hodara still feels behind the curve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "felt behind", ensure the context clearly indicates the standard or comparison group against which someone is feeling behind. For instance, specify "felt behind peers" or "felt behind schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "felt behind" without specifying the reason or area. Instead of just saying "I felt behind", clarify with "I felt behind in math class" or "I felt behind on the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "felt behind" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past tense verb ("felt") followed by an adverb ("behind"). It describes a state of feeling or perception regarding one's position relative to others or a specific benchmark. Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "felt behind" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a feeling of lagging or being less advanced compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests that it is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and informal conversation. When using "felt behind", provide a clear context to specify the area where the feeling is experienced, and consider alternatives like "lagged behind" or "was outpaced" to add nuance to your writing. Be mindful about specifying the reason of feeling "felt behind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagged behind

Focuses on the action of falling behind in progress or development.

was surpassed

A formal way of indicating that someone or something has exceeded one's own achievements.

was outpaced

Highlights being surpassed or exceeded by others.

perceived oneself as lagging

A more formal and reflective way to express feeling behind.

trailed behind

Emphasizes a slower pace and a following position.

felt inadequate

Shifts the focus to the feeling of not being good enough, which can be a consequence of feeling behind.

was slow in comparison

Directly compares one's own speed or progress to that of others.

was left in the dust

Uses a more dramatic idiom to describe being significantly outdone.

felt like an underachiever

Specifically targets the feeling of not reaching one's potential.

was overshadowed

Implies being less prominent or noticeable due to others' success.

FAQs

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

You can use "felt behind" to express a feeling of being less advanced or capable than others in a specific area. For example, "After missing several classes, I "felt behind" in the course material."

What are some alternatives to saying "felt behind"?

Alternatives to "felt behind" include "lagged behind", "was outpaced", or "felt inadequate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it grammatically correct to say "felt behind"?

Yes, "felt behind" is grammatically correct when used to describe a feeling of being less advanced or falling behind in comparison to others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "felt behind" and "was left behind"?

"Felt behind" emphasizes the internal feeling of lagging, while "was left behind" suggests a more external process of being abandoned or overtaken. The former is subjective, the latter is more objective.