has been trailing

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been trailing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something has been in a state of decline with respect to another. For example, "The market has been trailing the S&P 500 for the past six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

10.08pm: Derren has been trailing him for a month.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been trailing in the polls against his Socialist rival, François Hollande.

The New York Times

But in the fight against Pat Toomey, his Republican rival, Mr Sestak has been trailing badly.

The Economist

(The one exception is John Liu, the City Comptroller, who has been trailing in the polls).

The New Yorker

Creasy, who has been trailing the event heavily on Twitter, becomes a little less agitated.

Independent

But in more recent polls Mr. Perry has been trailing other candidates.

The New York Times

Civic Platform has been trailing the opposition Law and Justice party in recent opinion polls.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Abounaddara, a celebrated Syrian film collective, has been trailing a hotshot local soccer team.

The New York Times

This explains why Mr Osborne has been trailing it ever since moving into No 11.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Schundler, the former mayor of Jersey City, has been trailing steadily in the polls.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Murder rates have been ​falling worldwide, and violence generally has been ​trailing off for generations.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been trailing", ensure that you clearly identify what is being trailed and what it is being trailed by. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been trailing" when you actually intend to convey active pursuit. While "trailing" implies following, "has been trailing" emphasizes a state of lagging or being behind, not necessarily active chasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been trailing" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a state of lagging behind or being in a subordinate position. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something in decline relative to another. Examples show it used in contexts of elections, sports, and business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been trailing" is a frequently used and grammatically correct verb phrase that conveys the idea of something lagging behind or being in a subordinate position. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing states of decline relative to something else. Primarily found in News & Media, the phrase serves to describe comparative underperformance. When using "has been trailing", ensure clarity by specifying both what is trailing and what it is trailing by. Related alternatives include phrases like "has been lagging behind" and "has been falling behind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been lagging behind

This alternative emphasizes the act of falling behind or not keeping pace with others.

has been falling behind

Similar to "has been lagging behind", this indicates a gradual descent from a leading position.

has been following behind

This option focuses on the act of actively following, but at a distance or in a subordinate position.

has been losing ground

This alternative highlights the concept of declining or diminishing in position or status.

has been outpaced

This suggests that something or someone has been surpassed in speed or progress.

has been superseded

This implies being replaced or succeeded by something superior or more advanced.

has been eclipsed

This suggests that something has been overshadowed or made less significant.

has been second to

This alternative indicates a position of being subordinate or inferior.

has been inferior to

This directly states a state of lower quality or status.

has been struggling to keep up

This emphasizes the effort and difficulty in trying to maintain pace with a leader.

FAQs

How can I use "has been trailing" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been trailing" indicates that something or someone is behind or lagging in comparison to something else. For example, "The company "has been trailing" its competitors in market share this year."

What are some alternatives to "has been trailing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has been lagging behind", "has been falling behind", or "has been losing ground".

Is it correct to say "has been trailed" instead of "has been trailing"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Has been trailing" means something is in the process of lagging behind. "Has been trailed" means something has been followed or pursued by someone else.

What's the difference between "has been trailing" and "is trailing"?

"Has been trailing" implies a continued state of lagging behind over a period of time. "Is trailing" suggests that the act of lagging behind is currently happening. For example, "The team "has been trailing" in the polls for weeks" versus "The team "is trailing" by 10 points in tonight's game".