is falling behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is falling behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not keeping up with others or is lagging in progress or performance. Example: "In the race for technological advancement, our company is falling behind our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Suddenly Ford is falling behind in the region with the biggest growth prospects for car makers.

The Economist

If by mid-March Greece is falling behind, the euro zone can ask for further cuts.

The Economist

But his mother is staying in Salinas, worried, she said, that "my son is falling behind".

The New York Times

The Government can see that relative to its peers, the UK is falling behind".

Independent

Without yearly testing, we don't know who is falling behind and who needs help.

The New York Times

Well, if the United States is falling behind, we have only ourselves to blame.

The New York Times

As eloquently described by Mr. Friedman, America is falling behind, mired in the past.

The New York Times

Lately, however, the West is falling behind, as a torch lighting ceremony last month made clear.

The New York Times

The Vatican knows it is falling behind in the public-relations war.

The New York Times

And Sprint is falling behind and faces a daunting row of hurdles just to stay in the game.

The New York Times - Tech

The west is thriving, the rest of Canada is falling behind and Canadians have been moving westward.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is falling behind", specify the area or context in which the subject is lagging. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Ensure that the standard against which something "is falling behind" is clear to the reader. Without a clear comparison, the statement can lack impact and be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is falling behind" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of decline or failure to keep pace. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It suggests that a subject is not progressing at the expected rate or is being outdone by others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is falling behind" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something or someone is failing to keep pace or is in a state of decline. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to specify the area of deficiency for clarity. Alternatives like "is lagging behind" or "is losing ground" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is lagging behind

Expresses a similar meaning but uses 'lagging' to emphasize a slower pace.

is failing to keep up

Emphasizes the inability to maintain the same level of progress as others.

is trailing

Suggests being in a position after others, typically in a competitive context.

is losing ground

Indicates a decline in position or advantage.

is slipping

Implies a gradual decline in performance or status.

is losing pace

Highlights a reduction in speed or progress compared to others.

is being outpaced

Focuses on others moving faster and leaving someone behind.

is declining

Indicates a general downturn or decrease in quality or performance.

is retrogressing

Suggests a return to a less developed state, a more formal term.

is becoming outdated

Focuses on becoming obsolete or irrelevant.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "is falling behind"?

When something "is falling behind", it means that it is not progressing as quickly as others, or that it is losing ground compared to a previous state or a set benchmark. It suggests a decline or a failure to keep pace.

What are some synonyms for "is falling behind"?

Some synonyms for "is falling behind" include "is lagging behind", "is trailing", or "is losing ground". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

How to use "is falling behind" in a sentence?

You can use "is falling behind" in a sentence like this: "If we don't invest in new technology, our company is falling behind our competitors." or "The student is falling behind in math because he hasn't been attending class regularly."

Is it always negative to say something "is falling behind"?

Yes, generally saying that something "is falling behind" has negative connotations as it implies a failure to maintain pace or standard, or a decline in progress compared to others or to expectations.