lag significantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lag significantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable delay or slower progress in comparison to something else. Example: "The project is lagging significantly behind the original timeline due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But the data also showed most minority and low-income students continuing to lag significantly behind white and affluent students.

The New York Times

But there is at least one area where women's teams still lag significantly behind: coaches' compensation.

The New York Times - Sports

Although they lag significantly behind the stars, France and Ireland score highly.

The Economist

Not only do we lag significantly behind China, with a mere 19% of senior management positions held by women – we also feature in the bottom ten.

The Guardian

The debate here, though, is complicated by the fact that despite private industry's technology prowess in this country, in technologies like cryptography Indian law enforcement agencies still lag significantly behind their counterparts in the United States and other advanced countries.

The New York Times

That's a euphemism for more German-designated austerity in Europe, where the International Monetary Fund estimates that growth will lag significantly behind that of the United States and Asia this year and next.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But in 2008, actual penetration clearly lagged significantly behind theory.

The Guardian - Tech

"While the real sector has raced ahead, growth within the financial sector has lagged significantly behind," he said.

The Guardian

In Stamford, black and Hispanic student performance on state tests has lagged significantly behind that of Asians and whites.

The New York Times

The intelligence community has lagged significantly behind private industry in the development and use of innovative technology.

The New Yorker

While Corbyn is the favourite to win the leadership election, his party is lagging significantly behind the Tories in opinion polls.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lag significantly", ensure you clearly state what the subject is lagging behind. Provide a specific point of comparison to give context and meaning to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "lag significantly" without specifying the extent or impact of the delay. Quantify the lag with numbers or specific measures to make the statement more informative and impactful. For example, say "sales lagged by 20%", rather than just "sales lagged significantly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lag significantly" functions as a verb phrase modifying a subject, indicating that the subject is falling behind or progressing more slowly than a reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lag significantly" is a phrase used to describe something that is notably behind or progressing more slowly than something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears across various reputable sources such as news media and scientific publications. It is important to specify what is lagging behind to ensure clarity and using specific metrics, if possible, enhances its impact. While phrases like "fall substantially behind" or "trail considerably" offer similar meanings, the core idea remains the same: conveying a marked deficiency or delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall substantially behind

Replaces "lag" with "fall", emphasizing the act of declining relative to something else, while "substantially" is similar to "significantly".

remain substantially behind

Adds emphasis on the persistence or continuation of the lagging status.

trail considerably

"Trail" suggests following behind, and "considerably" indicates a noticeable amount, similar to the original phrase.

remain considerably behind

Suggests a continuing state of being behind, similar to "remain substantially behind".

fall significantly behind schedule

This is more specific and fits where there is a timeline in question.

decline markedly

This alternative swaps the verb, focusing on the act of declining rather than trailing. It maintains the emphasis on a notable difference.

remain substantially below

This alternative suggests the status of one thing is below another and is not catching up.

fall far short

This phrase emphasizes the degree of deficiency or inadequacy. It focuses less on the trailing aspect.

be significantly lower

This alternative highlights the difference in magnitude or amount using the adjective "lower", rather than the verb "lag".

be noticeably slower

Emphasizes the slower pace or progress as the primary characteristic.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said to "lag significantly"?

When something is said to "lag significantly", it means it is notably behind or slower compared to a specific benchmark, expectation, or competitor. The term suggests a substantial difference in progress, performance, or development.

What can I say instead of "lag significantly"?

You can use alternatives like "fall substantially behind", "trail considerably", or "fall far short" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lag significantly behind" or "lag significantly"?

Both "lag significantly" and "lag significantly behind" are correct, but the latter explicitly states the point of comparison. Using "lag significantly behind" can enhance clarity by specifying what the subject is trailing.

How can I use "lag significantly" in a sentence?

You can use "lag significantly" to describe a variety of situations. For example: "Their sales "fell substantially behind" projections this quarter" or "Innovation in this sector is "falling far short" of expectations".