it lagged behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lagged behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is not keeping pace with others or is falling behind in progress or development. Example: "While the other teams advanced quickly, it lagged behind in terms of innovation and efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

With its enormous customer base and software expertise, analysts say Microsoft should be the No. 1 player in virtualization, but it lagged behind and let VMware eat its lunch.

Forbes

From 1990 to 1999, it lagged behind the market by 3.7 percentage points.

The New York Times

It lagged behind F.D.R. before World War II; it was riding along enthusiastically with President Bush when he invaded Iraq.

The New York Times

In an interview, Mr. Steinberg also chastised the United States, saying it lagged behind Europe in this area.

The New York Times - Arts

Economically, in the 1960s it lagged behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – currently holding elections marred by violence.

The Guardian

Here was a brand with a fantastic pedigree and a wonderful history but it lagged behind the all-powerful Nike.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

More criminally, it lags behind in breaking really big news stories.

The Guardian

The light-frame system has not been significantly improved since its introduction, and it lags behind other modern techniques.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Historically one of England's problems has been that it lags behind its major European rivals as regards the number of highly qualified coaches we produce.

BBC

Audio quality was originally one of its selling points, but it lags behind the leaders in this space.

TechCrunch

While New York prides itself on being forward-thinking, I'm surprised that it lags behind other cities in accommodating its disabled population.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it lagged behind", ensure the context clearly specifies what "it" refers to and what it is lagging behind. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it lagged behind" without a clear antecedent for "it". Always ensure the reader knows exactly what is being compared and why it is considered to be lagging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lagged behind" functions as a comparative statement, indicating that a subject failed to keep pace with a reference point. Ludwig shows examples across news, academic and encyclopedia source, illustrating the phrase's broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it lagged behind" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is not progressing as quickly or effectively as something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, from news reporting to academic writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias, indicating its wide acceptance in both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject and reference point are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it fell behind" or "it trailed" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively convey the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it fell behind

Focuses on the action of losing ground or position.

it trailed

Implies following at a distance, typically in a race or competition.

it was outpaced

Highlights being surpassed in speed or progress.

it was left behind

Emphasizes abandonment or being overtaken by progress.

it was slower

A direct comparison of speed or rate.

it couldn't keep up

Suggests an inability to maintain the same pace or standard.

it underperformed

Focuses on not meeting expected performance levels.

it was less advanced

Indicates a lower level of development or sophistication.

it was superseded

Suggests being replaced by something newer or better.

it was eclipsed

Implies being overshadowed or surpassed in importance or prominence.

FAQs

What does "it lagged behind" mean?

The phrase "it lagged behind" means that something was slower, less advanced, or less successful compared to something else. It suggests a failure to keep pace or meet a certain standard.

What can I say instead of "it lagged behind"?

You can use alternatives like "it fell behind", "it trailed", or "it was outpaced" depending on the context.

How to use "it lagged behind" in a sentence?

For example: "Despite initial investments, the company's technology "it lagged behind" its competitors in terms of innovation."

What's the difference between "it lagged behind" and "it was left behind"?

"It lagged behind" suggests a gradual falling behind, while "it was left behind" implies a more definitive separation or abandonment. The former focuses on relative performance, while the latter emphasizes isolation.