is running far behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is running far behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is significantly delayed or lagging in progress compared to others. Example: "The project is running far behind schedule due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Despite tax collections that are approximately on target, India is running far behind on its fiscal deficit goal.

The New York Times

With an election due in October, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's chosen successor is running far behind two left-of-center candidates.

The New York Times

Now that President Obama has declared swine flu a national emergency and manufacturers are warning that vaccine production is running far behind schedule, is it time to panic?

The New York Times

The former Finance Minister, Domingo Cavallo, the architect of Mr. Menem's economic program, is running far behind on a third-party ticket, but he may play the role of the spoiler.

The New York Times

Mr. Hague, who is running far behind Mr. Blair in the June 7 vote, has been accused of racial insensitivity for his frequent accusations that Labor is turning Britain into a "soft touch" for "bogus asylum seekers".

The New York Times

Tonight, Mr. Clinton ventured to the Asnuntuck Community College campus in Enfield, Conn., about 20 miles north of Hartford, to campaign for a little-known Democrat, Joseph D. Courtney, who is running far behind Representative Rob Simmons, the Republican incumbent in the Second Congressional District.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The stakes were highest for Vicente Fox Quesada, the strongest opposition candidate, who faced off for 90 minutes with Francisco Labastida Ochoa, the ruling party candidate, and Cuauhtemoc Cardenas Solorzano, a leftist contender who has been running far behind the other two.

The New York Times

The Corpus Christi was christened by Lilla Burt Cummings Tower, a Washington lawyer and the wife of Senator Tower, after P. Takis Veliotis, general manager of the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation, said that the company would complete the first Trident ballistic submarine, the Ohio, which has been running far behind schedule, next fall.

The New York Times

Before July 1, Mr. Corzine must address a shortfall of at least $1.2 billion that has arisen in the current state budget, since revenues from income, sales and corporate taxes are running far behind the amounts needed to support the original spending plan.

The New York Times

And still more waited patiently for buses that were running far behind schedule.

Los Angeles Times

But ITER is running far over budget and at least 10 years behind its original schedule.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is running far behind" to clearly indicate a significant delay or lack of progress in comparison to a target or competitor. For variety, consider alternatives like "is significantly lagging" or "is considerably delayed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "is running far behind" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement and clarity. For example, alternate between "is falling behind", "is lagging significantly", and "is trailing considerably".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is running far behind" functions as a descriptive expression, typically serving as part of the predicate in a sentence. It describes the state of a subject that is significantly lagging or delayed compared to a specific target or other subjects. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is running far behind" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of significant delay or lag in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, though synonyms like "is significantly lagging" may offer a more formal tone. When using this phrase, consider varying your language to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement. Remember that this phrase is used to convey a deficit in progress or performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is significantly lagging

Replaces "far behind" with a more formal adjective, maintaining the core meaning.

is well behind schedule

Specifically addresses the aspect of time and deadlines, indicating a failure to meet them.

is lagging considerably

Similar to "is significantly lagging", but uses "considerably" for emphasis.

is considerably delayed

Emphasizes the delay aspect, substituting "running" with "delayed" and "far" with "considerably".

is substantially trailing

Replaces "behind" with "trailing", highlighting the act of following at a distance.

is losing ground rapidly

Emphasizes the speed at which something is falling behind or losing its position.

is falling far short

Focuses on the failure to reach a target or expectation.

is a long way back

Uses a more informal, spatial metaphor to convey the idea of being behind.

is greatly outpaced

Highlights being overtaken or surpassed by something or someone else.

is severely retarded

A more clinical and formal way of indicating significant delay or impediment. Less commonly used in general contexts.

FAQs

What does "is running far behind" mean?

The phrase "is running far behind" means that something or someone is significantly delayed or lagging in progress compared to what is expected or compared to others.

What can I say instead of "is running far behind"?

You can use alternatives like "is significantly lagging", "is considerably delayed", or "is substantially trailing" depending on the context.

How to use "is running far behind" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The project is running far behind schedule due to unforeseen complications." The phrase indicates a considerable delay.

Is "is running far behind" formal or informal?

The phrase "is running far behind" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "is significantly lagging" may be preferred in certain settings.