he is falling short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is falling short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is not meeting expectations or standards in a particular situation. Example: "Despite his efforts, he is falling short of the goals we set for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I forgive again when who he is falls short of my ideal; forgive myself when resentments linger in me and I pull away.

HuffPost

Christopher felt that he was falling short of his own expectations.

The New Yorker

With an annual salary of $25,452, he said he was falling short in covering the bills.

The New York Times

In mournful moments, he can see that he's falling short, although he insists that he's a victim.

The New Yorker

But he was falling short in a rematch with Mo Brooks, a county commissioner Mr. Griffith narrowly defeated two years ago when he was a Democrat.

The New York Times

And from remarks he made later, it was clear that he had been thinking about his quest to become president and whether he was falling short.

The New York Times

"But I do understand the father-knows-best mentality, the oppression the father figure can have on his kids, the pressures he is under to be the leader and to provide, and feeling like he's falling short and having wants and desires himself".

The New York Times

When Haye did come forward he was falling short, while Klitschko, 35, finally unsheathed his right midway through round two, which Haye stood up to well.

BBC

I want Obama to be the best leader he can be; at present, he's falling short.

Huffington Post

So far, she's falling short.

Huffington Post

Once again, he's fallen short.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is falling short", clearly specify the area in which the subject is underperforming to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, "He is falling short of his sales targets this quarter".

Common error

Avoid using "he is falling short" without specifying the context or metric. Saying "he is falling short" without further explanation leaves the statement open to interpretation and weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is falling short" functions as a descriptive statement, typically acting as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates a state of deficiency or failure to meet a particular standard or expectation, similar to what Ludwig AI describes.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is falling short" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a failure to meet expectations or standards. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the frequency is currently missing from the provided data, making it difficult to assess its commonality across different contexts. Alternative phrases such as "he is underperforming" or "he is not measuring up" can be used to convey similar meanings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area of deficiency. Based on the available information, the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts and serves to communicate a judgment about someone's performance. Ludwig AI supports these observations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is failing to meet expectations

Directly addresses the failure to satisfy what was anticipated.

he is not measuring up

Indicates a failure to meet a required standard or expectation.

he is coming up short

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the act of attempting and failing.

he is underperforming

Specifically relates to performance, suggesting a failure to achieve the expected level.

he is not up to par

Suggests that someone or something is not good enough.

he is proving inadequate

Focuses on the demonstration of inadequacy over time.

he is deficient

Emphasizes a lack or inadequacy in a specific area.

he is not making the grade

Implies a failure to reach a required standard, often in an academic or professional context.

he is lacking

Highlights the absence of something necessary or desirable.

he is not cutting it

A more informal way of saying someone is not good enough or successful enough.

FAQs

What does "he is falling short" mean?

The phrase "he is falling short" means that someone is not meeting expectations or achieving a required standard or goal.

How can I use "he is falling short" in a sentence?

You can use "he is falling short" to indicate that someone is not performing as well as expected. For example: "Despite his hard work, "he is falling short of his goals"".

What are some alternatives to "he is falling short"?

Alternatives to "he is falling short" include phrases like "he is underperforming", "he is not measuring up", or "he is failing to meet expectations".

Is it better to say "he is falling short" or "he is coming up short"?

Both "he is falling short" and "he is coming up short" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "He is falling short" is slightly more general, while "he is coming up short" emphasizes the act of attempting and failing.