lag further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lag further behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which one thing or person is not progressing at the same rate as another thing or person. For example: "Students in rural areas often lag further behind in educational achievements compared to their city counterparts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Russia, France and the United States lag further behind in the game of going deep.

The New York Times - Science

South Korea is also closing the gap, although the other Asian tigers, such as Malaysia, lag further behind.

The Economist

We have made very little progress here and lag further behind Labour and the Lib Dems than at the start of the year.

The Guardian

During the same period, though, college-educated state workers have seen their median pay lag further behind their peers in the private sector.

The New York Times

Dr. Gopal Kishan, the former superintendent of Osmania General Hospital and now a nephrologist at Mediciti Hospital, argues that Aarogyasri has given private hospitals access to government funds that used to pay for the maintenance and staff of public hospitals, leaving public hospitals to lag further behind.

The New York Times

Other Asian rivals lag further behind.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It can watch its position in the world decline as its infrastructure lags further behind and its army of underemployed people grows.

The Economist

Furthermore, as an increased number of processes are being automated or being infused with AI, human-centric processes are lagging further behind in terms of efficiency and optimization.

Forbes

"The Situation Room" lags further behind.

The Washington Post

As digital cameras become commonplace, printing lags further behind.

The New York Times

But business appears to be lagging further behind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you are using the expression, make sure it’s clear what the subject is lagging behind. This provides essential context and enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "lag further behind" when the subject hasn't already been lagging. This expression emphasizes an increasing disparity, not just the initial state of being behind.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lag further behind" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating a progressive decrease in relative position or performance. This is evident from Ludwig, which illustrates its use in scenarios where a subject's progress diminishes relative to others. For example, in contexts discussing economic growth, technological advancement, or educational performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lag further behind" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a progressive decline in relative position or performance. As Ludwig highlights, it's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what the subject is lagging behind to provide context. The phrase is suitable for neutral to professional registers and serves to express concern or highlight a worsening situation. Avoid using it to describe an initial state of being behind; it emphasizes an increasing disparity. Alternatives like "fall increasingly behind" or "be further outstripped" can provide more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall increasingly behind

Implies the continuous and accelerating nature of falling behind.

fall further back

Emphasizes the act of receding or losing ground in a competition or ranking. This is a more general term that is useful to replace "lag".

trail further behind

Suggests a visual aspect of following at a greater distance; applicable when the subject is literally trailing behind.

get left further behind

Highlights the passive nature of being left behind, suggesting a lack of agency.

decline further

Focuses on the deterioration or reduction in quality or quantity, rather than just position.

slip further down

Indicates a gradual descent or decline in ranking or status.

recede further

Indicates a movement away or a retreat from a previous position. Implies a distancing effect.

lose more ground

Highlights the loss of advantage or progress, emphasizing a competitive context.

be further outstripped

More formal and emphasizes being surpassed or exceeded by someone else.

be increasingly distanced

Focuses on the widening gap between subjects, highlighting separation.

FAQs

How can I use "lag further behind" in a sentence?

You can use "lag further behind" to indicate that something is progressively falling behind a benchmark or competitor. For instance, "If we don't invest in research, our technology will "lag further behind" the industry standard".

What is a more formal way to say "lag further behind"?

A more formal alternative to "lag further behind" could be "fall increasingly behind" or "be further outstripped". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same core meaning. For example, "The company's profits "fall increasingly behind" those of its competitors".

Is it correct to use "lag further behind" in business writing?

Yes, it's appropriate to use "lag further behind" in business writing when describing performance or progress relative to competitors or goals. It effectively communicates a growing disparity. For example, "Our sales figures "lag further behind" projections".

What's the difference between "lag behind" and "lag further behind"?

"Lag behind" indicates simply being behind, while "lag further behind" implies that the gap is widening. The latter suggests a worsening situation or an increasing disparity. For example, "While other countries are investing heavily in green energy, we risk letting our technology "lag further behind"".