is not keeping up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not keeping up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is failing to maintain pace or progress with others or with expectations. Example: "The technology in our office is outdated and is not keeping up with the latest advancements in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He adds that the goalposts keep moving and his salary is not keeping up with house prices.

The Guardian

My pay is not keeping up with inflation.

The New York Times

The flipside is represented by companies like railroads where depreciation is not keeping up with spending.

The New York Times

"The traditional signature-based method of detecting malware is not keeping up".

The New York Times - Tech

But some experts say the public health response is not keeping up with the escalating crisis.

The Washington Post

"Supply is not keeping up right now with demand," Mr. Skinner said.

The New York Times

Copper rose as steadily declining stockpiles signaled that mine output is not keeping up with demand.

The New York Times

School education is not keeping up with the best in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even amid the research cutbacks, revenue from trading is not keeping up with research costs.

The New York Times

"[The funding] is not keeping up with the complexity of the calls," Mirjana said.

The Guardian

Some fear current efforts may be insufficient and the law is not keeping up with fast-paced technological innovation.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "is not keeping up" in overly formal contexts where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "is not keeping up" without specifying what standard or entity the subject is lagging behind. Always provide the point of comparison to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not keeping up" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to maintain a certain level or standard. It describes a state of lagging behind or not progressing at the same rate as something else. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not keeping up" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a failure to maintain pace or progress. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. Common usage includes describing technological lags, economic disparities, and educational shortcomings. The phrase is frequently found in news media and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is falling behind

Indicates a decline in position relative to others.

cannot keep up

Indicates an inability to match the speed or progress of something else.

is lagging behind

Suggests a slower pace compared to others.

is failing to keep pace

Emphasizes the inability to maintain the same speed or progress.

is struggling to maintain

Highlights the difficulty in upholding a certain level or standard.

is being outpaced

Highlights being overtaken or exceeded by someone or something else.

is not progressing sufficiently

Focuses on the inadequacy of advancement or development.

is losing ground

Implies a loss of advantage or position.

is not measuring up

Suggests a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

is deficient in keeping pace

Emphasizes that the subject lacks the capacity to maintain the required speed or rate.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not keeping up" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can substitute "is not keeping up" with phrases like "is failing to maintain pace" or "is not progressing sufficiently" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is not keeping up" and "is falling behind"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of progress, "is not keeping up" implies a failure to maintain an existing pace, whereas "is falling behind" suggests a loss of position relative to others.

When is it appropriate to use "is not keeping up" in writing?

"Is not keeping up" is appropriate in various contexts, from describing technological advancements to personal progress. It's suitable when indicating a failure to maintain pace with a specific standard or benchmark.

Are there any situations where I should avoid using "is not keeping up"?

While versatile, "is not keeping up" might sound informal in highly academic or professional contexts. In such cases, consider using more sophisticated alternatives to maintain a formal tone.