he ran behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he ran behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not completing tasks or activities within the expected time frame. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, he ran behind schedule and was unable to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, Washington was running behind schedule as he had planned to attack and capture the British outposts before dawn and capture the garrison shortly afterward.

Wikipedia

Beach rentals on the Jersey Shore are running behind schedule as families try to guess when the weather roulette will come up bright and shiny for them.

The New York Times

The inquest had been set down for a two-week hearing but very quickly ran behind schedule.

The Guardian

Just the other day, Casey Mix ran behind schedule.

Los Angeles Times

He noted at one point that he was running behind schedule, with Marine One ready to whisk him off on a trip to Oklahoma for the first visit by a president to a federal prison.

Los Angeles Times

It was raining on his first day, and en route his umbrella broke, and he had already got mixed up on the subway so he was running behind schedule.

The Guardian - Books

Now he is running behind schedule to see his own kids and is anxious that we make up time.

The Guardian

But he was running behind schedule and never came close to making it in time for the first pitch at 1 05 p.m. "It just breaks my heart that the day I'm at the game, he hits it — but I missed it," he said after walking through the turnstiles in the top of the third.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am constantly on the go, and I am often running behind schedule," he said.

The New York Times

The event was running behind schedule.

The New York Times

1.10pm: The conference is running behind schedule.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he ran behind schedule" to clearly indicate a person's failure to adhere to a predefined timeline. This phrase is useful in project management, personal planning, or any context where timing is important.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct tense of 'run'. For example, don't write 'he run behind schedule' (present tense) when 'he ran behind schedule' (past tense) is required to describe a past event. Be consistent with your narrative's timeline.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of the phrase "he ran behind schedule" is to describe that an individual has failed to maintain the expected timeline or progress of a task, project, or event. As shown by Ludwig, this expression provides a direct indication of a missed deadline or delayed progress.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he ran behind schedule" effectively communicates that someone failed to meet their planned timeline. While grammatically correct, the phrase is not among the most common. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrasing indicates a missed deadline or delayed progress. Although the phrase is valid, remember to adjust the verb tense to match the context, and consider that there are more common ways to convey the same meaning, such as "he was delayed" or "he fell behind schedule". Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific nuance and register you want to achieve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he fell behind schedule

Emphasizes a gradual drift from the planned timeline.

he was delayed

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone is behind schedule.

he got behind schedule

Similar to "fell behind", indicating a process of becoming delayed.

he was late

A general term for not being on time.

he missed the deadline

Focuses on the failure to meet a specific end point.

he was not on time

A straightforward way to state someone was not punctual.

he didn't meet the timeline

Emphasizes the overall plan that was not achieved.

he lagged behind schedule

Indicates slower progress than expected.

he slipped behind schedule

Suggests a more subtle or less noticeable delay.

he was held up

Implies an external factor caused the delay.

FAQs

How can I use "he ran behind schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "he ran behind schedule" to indicate that someone failed to complete tasks or activities within the expected timeframe. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, he ran behind schedule and couldn't meet the deadline."

What's a more formal alternative to "he ran behind schedule"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "he fell behind schedule" or "he was delayed", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "he ran behind schedule" and "he was late"?

"He was late" is a general term indicating tardiness. "He ran behind schedule" implies a more structured plan or timeline was in place, and he deviated from it.

Is it correct to say "he runs behind schedule"?

The phrase "he runs behind schedule" is grammatically correct, but less common. Use "he ran behind schedule" for past events. If someone frequently fails to meet deadlines, using a present tense such as "he tends to run behind schedule" might be more appropriate.