it has fallen behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has fallen behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone is not keeping up with a certain standard, schedule, or progress. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project has fallen behind schedule and will require additional resources to catch up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But Poland has done little to promote innovation in its economy, and it has fallen behind OECD averages on nearly all metrics of innovation, including R&D expenditure, venture capital spending, and international co-authorship on research.

Harvard Business Review

Decades later, the Philippines was surpassed by the Asian Tigers; in the past decade, it has fallen behind its neighbor, Indonesia.

The New York Times

It was the first to the market with an e-reader in 2006, but it has fallen behind its rivals because it lacks Amazon's online sales prowess and Barnes & Noble's physical retail presence.

The New York Times

South Africa has built more than a million houses for the poor since 1994, but it has fallen behind on its land redistribution program and is struggling to provide housing for the estimated three million people still on the waiting list.

The New York Times

South Africa has built more than a million houses for poor people since apartheid ended in 1994, but it has fallen behind on its land redistribution program and is struggling to provide housing for the estimated three million people still on the waiting list.

The New York Times

The meagre scale of the growth underlines how slowly Italy is emerging from its worst recession since World War Two and how far it has fallen behind other European economies like France or Spain, let alone continental champion Germany.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The pass fell harmlessly, giving Seattle the victory after it had fallen behind, 21-7.

The New York Times - Sports

Ipsa first proposed the pay increase in 2013 "to reflect that it had fallen behind", arguing that MPs' salaries should be linked to average earnings after a two-year pay freeze.

The Guardian

At the time, officials say the facility had been struggling to survive because it had fallen behind on rent.

HuffPost

If any node has fallen behind, then it will advance its clock.

University of California, Berkeley

As Nike made the most of professional basketball's Michael Jordan and Reebok exploited the booming aerobics market, Puma lost considerable market share to those giants, just as it had fallen behind its crosstown blood rival Adidas.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has fallen behind", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to and what it is falling behind in. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it has fallen behind" without specifying a point of comparison. For instance, instead of saying "The company has fallen behind", specify "The company has fallen behind its competitors in market share."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has fallen behind" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being where something is lagging or not keeping pace. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts of economic development, technological advancement, and project timelines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has fallen behind" is a common expression used to indicate that something is lagging or not progressing as expected. Analysis of various sources, including news outlets, business publications, and academic texts, reveals its widespread use across diverse contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and informal settings. Alternatives like "it has lagged" or "it has lost ground" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to ensure effective communication. The phrase, while prevalent, should be used thoughtfully to maintain precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has lagged

Focuses on a slower pace compared to others, emphasizing a lack of progress.

it has lost ground

Highlights a reduction in advantage or position, suggesting a previous lead.

it has fallen short

Emphasizes a failure to meet expectations or requirements.

it has been surpassed

Highlights being overtaken by competitors or others.

it is not keeping pace

Emphasizes the ongoing failure to maintain the same rate of progress.

it has declined

Indicates a general decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.

it has been outpaced

Focuses on being unable to keep up with the speed or progress of others.

it has been overtaken

Similar to 'surpassed', but emphasizes the act of being passed by something or someone.

it has deteriorated

Suggests a worsening condition or state over time.

it has regressed

Implies a return to a former, less developed state.

FAQs

How can I use "it has fallen behind" in a sentence?

Use "it has fallen behind" to indicate that something is lagging or not progressing as expected. For example: "Due to budget cuts, the project "it has fallen behind" schedule."

What are some alternatives to "it has fallen behind"?

You can use alternatives such as "it has lagged", "it has lost ground", or "it has declined" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "it has fallen behind" or "it is falling behind"?

"It has fallen behind" indicates a completed action with ongoing consequences, while "it is falling behind" suggests a current and continuous process. The choice depends on whether the decline is viewed as a past event or a present state.

What does "it has fallen behind" imply?

The phrase "it has fallen behind" suggests that something or someone was previously at a certain level but is now lagging or failing to keep pace with a standard, schedule, or competitor.