flagging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flagging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is becoming weaker, less effective, or is being marked for attention, often in contexts like performance or issues needing resolution. Example: "The team's performance has been flagging lately, and we need to address the underlying issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, as usual, I will also be flagging up any breaking political news, posting summaries with a round-up of all the day's developments, and highlighting the most interesting political articles on the web.

The Guardian

This is not to judge disadvantaged students by a different standard; but by the same standard, just through intelligent use of data to drive lower offers rather than merely "flagging" a candidate for closer assessment.

The Guardian

Once, when conversation was flagging at the table, he turned to me and said, "You know, Soweto is not really a word - it stands for South Western Township".

The Guardian - Books

While flagging big cuts to future school spending growth, the Coalition's first budget earmarks the funding over five years to continue the chaplaincy scheme originally put into place by John Howard.

The Guardian

Not many regular guys last long after behaving erratically, running a bond fund whose performance had been flagging, and seeing assets dwindle month after month after month.

The Guardian - Money

If Spotify can detect when I'm flagging in a run (ie five minutes in) and whack on Hey Boy Hey Girl by the Chemical Brothers, it'll be on the right lines.

The Guardian - Tech

Barack Obama will attempt to reinvigorate his flagging presidency and bolster Democratic midterm election hopes on Tuesday night with a state of the union speech aimed at nothing less ambitious than restoring the American dream.

The Guardian

Karimov is 77, and his disappearance from public view for three weeks in February sparked rumours that his health was flagging.

The Guardian

The solution to flagging pace in a run isn't a speedy-up Tiesto track: it's your battery-jolt tune.

The Guardian - Tech

Tony Abbott risks breaking his promise to the Australian Capital Territory by flagging further job cuts in the public service, the ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, said.

The Guardian

Last week's accounting scandal opens the door on another systemic breakdown: how one of those same giant businesses, struggling to pep up a flagging stock price, produced numbers that the business world couldn't believe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flagging" to describe performance, be specific about what is flagging. For example, instead of saying "morale is flagging", specify "employee morale is flagging due to increased workload".

Common error

While "flagging" indicates a decline, it doesn't always mean complete failure. Avoid using it when something has already completely ceased to function or exist; use terms like "failed" or "collapsed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The term "flagging" primarily functions as a present participle, often used adjectivally to describe a state of decline or weakening. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use in sentences highlights a process of becoming less effective or vigorous.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flagging" is a grammatically sound present participle frequently employed to describe a state of decline or weakening, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts, serving to objectively denote a situation requiring attention. While often interchangeable with terms like "declining" or "weakening", it's crucial to avoid misusing "flagging" as a direct synonym for "failing", as it doesn't necessarily imply complete failure. To ensure precise communication, specify the subject that is "flagging" and consider the nuance of gradual decline versus complete cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declining

Indicates a gradual decrease or deterioration.

weakening

Suggests a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

tiring

Implies a loss of energy or enthusiasm.

faltering

Conveys a sense of hesitation or unsteadiness.

diminishing

Highlights a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

drawing attention to

Focuses on the act of making something noticeable.

highlighting

Emphasizes the act of pointing out something important.

pointing out

Suggests bringing something to someone's attention.

calling attention to

Similar to highlighting, but can also imply a warning.

marking

Indicates identifying something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "flagging" in a sentence?

You can use "flagging" to describe something that is weakening or declining. For example, "The economy is flagging," or "My energy was flagging by the end of the day."

What are some synonyms for "flagging"?

Depending on the context, you can use "declining", "weakening", or "faltering" as alternatives to "flagging".

Is it correct to say "flagging morale"?

Yes, "flagging morale" is a correct and common usage. It means that the level of enthusiasm or spirit is decreasing.

What's the difference between "flagging" and "failing"?

"Flagging" implies a gradual decline, whereas "failing" suggests a more complete or imminent cessation of function. Something that is "flagging" might recover, but something that is "failing" is closer to, or already at, the point of non-functionality.