is trailing behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is trailing behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is lagging or not keeping up with others in a particular context, such as competition or progress. Example: "In the race, Sarah is trailing behind the leading runners, struggling to keep pace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A positive value indicates that the current system is trailing behind the noon meridian, while a negative value indicates that it is leading it.

Earth, Planets and Space

America is trailing behind much of Europe in many other aspects too.

Huffington Post

This was echoed earlier this week by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne when she admitted that her province is trailing behind when it comes to tracking fentanyl-related deaths, something that is plaguing the whole country.

Vice

Whether you define "left-wing ideas" as the centrist liberalism of Nick Clegg or the socialism of Jeremy Corbyn, it's hard to find anything east of total Tory with even the faintest hope of gaining popular traction in the UK; the Tories are polling at 44percenttheireir highest rating since 1992, while Labour is trailing behind at 28percentt.

Vice

Her editors' code, like almost all law in this matter, is trailing behind the pace of global digital change.

The Guardian

The authors note that India is trailing behind every other South Asian country with the partial exception of Pakistan, in terms of social indicators, though the per capita income figures are strong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Emmanuel Mutai, Gebremariam, Kebede were trailing behind, but Mutai looked determined and running extraordinarily easy.

The New York Times

The lighter aircraft, a smaller jet type of plane, was trailing behind and had a flash light.

The Guardian

But the stark fact is that those living in social housing, who are already facing many disadvantages compared to other sections of society, are trailing behind in the digital revolution stakes.

The Guardian

This report is a follow up on the Fawcett Society's earlier campaign, Sexism and the City (2008), which found – in line with a number of other reports – that women were trailing behind in terms of pay and status.

The Guardian - Opinion

iPhone users that are interested in VR are pretty much stuck with Google Cardboard for the time being, and with Android Nougat's upcoming VR mode, that experience is going to be trailing behind significantly.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is trailing behind", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is lagging behind. For example, specify the competitor, benchmark, or expected standard.

Common error

Avoid using "is trailing behind" without clearly stating the point of comparison. Without a clear reference, the phrase lacks impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is trailing behind" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject is in a position of lagging or being less advanced compared to others. Ludwig shows that this can apply to various contexts, such as competition, progress, or development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is trailing behind" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a state of lagging or being less advanced. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media, but also extending to science and general discourse. It suggests a need to specify the subject and the standard or competitor it is not keeping pace with to ensure clarity. While generally neutral in tone, it often implicitly carries a sense of evaluation or concern about the subject's position. Consider using alternatives such as ""is lagging behind"" or ""is falling behind"" to subtly adjust the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is lagging behind

Focuses on a slower pace compared to others.

is falling behind

Suggests a decline in position or performance.

is losing ground

Emphasizes the loss of an advantage or progress.

is being outpaced

Highlights the fact that someone or something is moving faster.

is getting left behind

Indicates a risk of being abandoned or forgotten.

is coming in last

Specifically refers to being in the final position in a competition.

is not keeping up

Focuses on the inability to maintain the same level or speed.

is dropping back

Implies a movement from a leading position to a trailing one.

is remaining behind

Emphasizes a conscious choice or necessity to stay in a trailing position.

is sitting in the back

Suggests being in a passive, less prominent position.

FAQs

What does "is trailing behind" mean?

The phrase "is trailing behind" means that someone or something is moving slower or is less advanced than others in a particular situation or competition. It indicates a state of lagging or not keeping pace.

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

You can use "is trailing behind" to describe a competitor in a race, a country's economic growth, or a company's performance compared to its rivals. For example, "In the polls, candidate X "is lagging behind" candidate Y."

What are some alternatives to "is trailing behind"?

Alternatives to "is trailing behind" include "is falling behind", "is lagging behind", "is losing ground", or "is being outpaced". The best alternative depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is trailing behind" and "is falling behind"?

"Is trailing behind" generally indicates a current state of being behind, while ""is falling behind"" suggests a decline in position or performance over time. The former is more static, while the latter implies a downward trend.