is left trailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is left trailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is left behind or remains at the end of a sequence or process. Example: "In the race, the slower runners were left trailing as the faster competitors surged ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The back office is left trailing.

The Economist

There is obviously still room for improvement for South Central, which is left trailing behind the other train companies.

The Guardian - Travel

In the never ending race to give us the technology of tomorrow, many a once loved object is left trailing in the digital dust.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Patrick Kristensen, Aalborg's left-back, was left trailing and Wright-Phillips struck his shot with the outside of his right boot so that it curled away from Zaza into the top corner of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Their rivals have been left trailing in their wake.

The Guardian - Sport

Sotheby's was left trailing as its rival raked in about $2bn in sales.

The Guardian

Japan continued to press and force England back as Callum Chambers was left trailing and Takumi Minamino fired just over.

The Guardian - Sport

After the first round of the election, held earlier this month, the democracy activist was left trailing the incumbent by more than 15 points.

Independent

However, the previous occasion when Forbes published the list, in 2008, he was left trailing by Rowling, who had brought in some $300m that year.

The Guardian - Books

Nokia has been left trailing by Apple and Samsung, and cost cutting saw the last of its European factories closed, with production now largely in Asia.

The Guardian - Tech

"We move our ship at a slower pace, avoiding the turbulence of the high seas," says Mr Al Maraj.Bahrain, which usurped Beirut as the region's financial hub in the 1980s, had been left trailing by Dubai.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is left trailing" when you want to emphasize a contrast between something that is advancing and something else that is falling behind, especially in competitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "is left trailing" in situations where there isn't a clear sense of competition or progression. The phrase implies a dynamic where something is actively falling behind something else, so it's less appropriate for static or non-comparative descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is left trailing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being behind or lagging. It often describes a situation where something or someone has fallen behind in a competition or process. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is left trailing" effectively communicates a state of being behind or outpaced, typically in competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, particularly in sports reporting, where it describes competitors falling behind. While the phrase is acceptable and understandable in various contexts, writers should use it judiciously, ensuring the context aligns with its inherent sense of competition or progression. Alternatives such as "falls behind" or "lags behind" may offer more precise nuances depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trails behind

Highlights the spatial aspect of being positioned after something else, maintaining a similar structure but replacing "left".

falls behind

Focuses on the action of losing ground in a race or competition.

lags behind

Emphasizes a slower pace compared to others.

is outpaced

Focuses on the act of being surpassed in speed or progress.

is overtaken

Stresses the event of being passed by someone or something.

is eclipsed

Indicates being overshadowed or surpassed in importance or achievement.

is surpassed

Highlights the act of exceeding or outdoing something.

is superseded

Implies being replaced or succeeded by something better or newer.

is outstripped

Focuses on exceeding something by a significant margin.

is dwarfed

Indicates being made to seem small or insignificant in comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "is left trailing" in a sentence?

Use "is left trailing" to describe something or someone that is falling behind or being surpassed by others in a race, competition, or other progressive situation. For example: "The outdated technology "is left trailing" behind newer innovations."

What are some alternatives to "is left trailing"?

Alternatives include "lags behind", "falls behind", "is outpaced", or "is overtaken", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was left trailing" instead of "is left trailing"?

Yes, "was left trailing" is the past tense form and is correct when describing a past event. For example: "During the economic downturn, many small businesses "were left trailing" behind larger corporations."

What's the difference between "is left trailing" and "is trailing"?

"Is trailing" simply means "is following behind". "Is left trailing" implies that something was once at the same level or ahead, but is now behind and unable to catch up. The former describes a current state, while the latter describes a consequence of a previous state.