lagging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lagging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is delayed or not keeping up with a certain pace or standard, often in contexts related to technology or performance. Example: "The internet connection has been lagging all day, making it difficult to stream videos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As if lagging 2-0 were not bad enough, Hibs might have begun to remember the club's sombre record in this event.

The Guardian - Sport

Many Australians would feel ashamed and embarrassed that their country was lagging behind other English-speaking countries if Ireland's voters endorse same-sex marriage in this week's referendum, advocates said on Thursday.

The Guardian

Amazon Prime Instant Video also offers streaming but is lagging far behind in the original programming department with only four shows in the can.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Similarly, Arsenal's title challenge may not be entirely dead yet, but with a goal difference lagging 14 behind Liverpool after the same number of games played, and fully 18 behind Manchester City, a return to the familiar environs of fourth placed should be expected.

The Guardian - Sport

Netanyahu's Likud party has been lagging in opinion polls, and he has stepped up his nationalist rhetoric in the final days of the campaign.

The Guardian

Scottish Labour conceded the polls showed it was lagging behind the SNP, but insisted that electing SNP MPs would only help the Tories by denying Labour a Westminster majority.

The Guardian

Both the opposition and the west have been lagging behind in judging the public mood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Elizabeth Warren consistently ranks as a leader of the liberal left, but when it comes to climate change the Massachusetts senator and many other prominent Democrats are lagging behind, a new report claims, and are not taking the steps required to prevent the globe from plunging into manmade catastrophe.

The Guardian

They are lagging behind the 36.1% share of the vote they notched up in 2010 – and they didn't win then either.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will also be able to know the sectors that have made the most progress and which ones are lagging behind".

The Guardian

The film is lagging far behind the Scorsese and Russell films in the US, having grossed $43.6m £26.3mm) there, as against $98.6m for Wolf and $127m for Hustle.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lagging", ensure the context clearly identifies what the subject is falling behind in. For example, specify "lagging in sales" or "lagging behind schedule".

Common error

Avoid using "lagging" too frequently in technical documents where more precise terms like "latency" or "delay" might be more appropriate. Consider the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lagging" is as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "is lagging") or as a noun. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability in describing a state of being behind or not keeping pace, evident in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lagging" is a very common and grammatically sound term used to describe something falling behind or failing to keep pace. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using "lagging", ensure you clarify what the subject is falling behind in. Be mindful of overuse in technical writing, opting for more precise terms when necessary. The term functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, serving to describe and indicate deficiencies in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling behind

Indicates a state of not keeping up with the required pace or standard.

trailing

Implies being behind, often in a competitive context.

dawdling

Suggests moving slowly or idly, causing one to fall behind.

languishing

Conveys a sense of stagnation and decline, leading to being behind.

slowing down

Refers to a decrease in speed or progress.

being delayed

Indicates a postponement or hindrance in progress.

stalling

Suggests a temporary cessation of progress.

faltering

Implies a weakening or unsteady progress.

slacking

Indicates a reduction in effort or diligence.

deferring

Refers to postponing or delaying an action.

FAQs

How can I use "lagging" in a sentence?

You can use "lagging" to describe something that is falling behind, such as "The project is "lagging" behind schedule" or "Our sales are "lagging" compared to last year".

What are some alternatives to using the word "lagging"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "trailing", "falling behind", or "slowing down".

Is it correct to say "the economy is lagging"?

Yes, it's correct. Saying "the economy is "lagging"" implies that the economy is not performing as well as expected or desired, and is behind its potential or previous performance.

What's the difference between "lagging" and "declining"?

"Lagging" suggests a failure to keep pace with a benchmark or expected progress, while "declining" indicates a downward trend or decrease in value or quantity. Something can be "lagging" without necessarily declining, and vice versa.