is falling short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is falling short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not meeting expectations or standards. Example: "The project is falling short of our initial goals, and we need to reassess our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even now, the fight is falling short.

The New York Times

Anything other than that is falling short.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus, intellectual potential.Europe is falling short of intellectual potential.

The Economist

China is falling short by 30 to 40 gigawatts, resulting in energy rationing and factory closings.

Yale University

But whether measured by highways, airways or -- particularly -- far-reaching railways, India's transportation is falling short.

The New York Times

But attendance is falling short of the tens of thousands they expected.

The Economist

Global aid spending is imbalanced – but if anyone is falling short, it's the US.

The Guardian

Also find out if net income per share is falling short of current dividends.

The New York Times

Natural gas rose to a record on signs that production is falling short of demand.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But investors have been spooked by a flood of reports that the growth of broadband the core of EarthLink's expansion strategy is falling short of expectations.

Forbes

All this effort however, is falling short.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is falling short", clearly specify what standard or expectation is not being met to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is falling short" without specifying the area of deficiency. For example, instead of saying "The project is falling short", specify, "The project is falling short of its budget" or "The project is falling short of its deadline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is falling short" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject is not meeting a certain standard or expectation. It expresses a state of deficiency or inadequacy, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is falling short" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a failure to meet expectations or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its applications span across diverse fields such as news, academia, and business. While generally neutral in tone, its use often carries a critical assessment. To maximize clarity, it's best practice to specify the area where something "is falling short". Alternatives such as "is not measuring up" or "is failing to meet expectations" can be used for nuanced expression. With its frequent presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the usage of "is falling short" will help in precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is failing to meet expectations

Directly states the failure to satisfy anticipated outcomes.

is coming up short

Similar meaning, but slightly more informal.

is not measuring up

Implies a comparison against a benchmark, with the subject failing to reach it.

is proving inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency or unsuitability of something for a particular purpose.

is lagging behind

Indicates slower progress compared to others or a set target.

is not up to par

Indicates that the quality or performance is below the required level.

is deficient in

Highlights a lack of something specific.

is deficient

Emphasizes a lack or shortage of necessary qualities or elements.

is not making the grade

Suggests a failure to achieve a passing standard or acceptable level of performance.

is wanting

Implies a lack of something essential or desirable.

FAQs

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

When something "is falling short", it means it is not reaching a required or expected standard, goal, or level. It implies a deficiency or failure to meet a specific target.

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

You can use "is falling short" to describe situations where expectations are not being met. For instance, "The company's profits are falling short of projections" or "The team's performance is falling short of the required standard."

What can I say instead of "is falling short"?

You can use alternatives like "is failing to meet expectations", "is not measuring up", or "is not up to par" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "is falling short" or "falls short"?

"Is falling short" indicates a continuous or current state of deficiency, while "falls short" describes a general tendency or a single instance of not meeting a requirement. The choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.