lagging further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lagging further behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that is falling or becoming increasingly behind in terms of progress, achievement, or development. For example, "The economy continued to lagged further behind its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But business appears to be lagging further behind.

The Guardian

The owners see the problems as being created by player salaries, which continue to soar and leave low-revenue clubs lagging further behind the high-revenue teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Official figures released earlier this year showed that boys were lagging further behind girls by the age of five since the introduction of Labour's "nappy curriculum".

Independent

Behind differences of emphasis and method the central feature of political discourse about English education is the deeply held assumption that educational standards are falling and that we are lagging further behind the rest of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many other centres are likely to be lagging further behind.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 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

While 15 year-olds in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all showed almost identical performances to their previous scores, Wales lagged further behind in all three subject areas.

The Guardian

After 20 years, the lowest socioeconomic group lagged further behind the most affluent, Dr. Singh said, noting that "life expectancy was higher for the most affluent in 1980 than for the most deprived group in 2000".

The New York Times

He analyzed Value Line's fund ratings from 1995 through 2000 and found that the average fund in its bottom two rating categories did significantly worse than Value Line's higher ranked funds -- in other words, that the lower-ranked funds lagged further behind the market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lagging further behind", ensure that the context clearly identifies the benchmark or standard against which the subject is falling behind. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming a single cause for something "lagging further behind". Often, multiple factors contribute, and attributing it to only one can lead to ineffective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lagging further behind" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a continuous verb construction (e.g., "is lagging further behind"). Ludwig AI validates its proper use, emphasizing its role in describing a progressive state of decline or deficiency relative to a benchmark.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lagging further behind" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing something progressively falling behind a standard or competitor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. Although its frequency is uncommon, understanding its nuanced meaning—conveying a widening gap—can enhance writing precision. When using it, remember to clearly define what's being "lagged" and the specific benchmark. Keep in mind that multiple factors are generally causes for something "lagging further behind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling increasingly behind

Focuses on the continuous process of falling behind more and more.

getting progressively behind

Emphasizes the gradual nature of falling behind.

trailing further and further behind

Highlights the increasing distance between the subject and those ahead.

losing ground continuously

Indicates a steady decline in position or progress.

being left increasingly in the dust

A more figurative way to describe being outpaced.

slipping ever further back

Implies a subtle but continuous decline.

receding further into the distance

Suggests a visual metaphor of falling behind and disappearing from view.

falling away dramatically

Emphasizes a significant and rapid decline.

becoming increasingly uncompetitive

Focuses on the loss of competitive edge.

declining at an accelerating rate

Highlights the increasing speed of the decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "lagging further behind" to describe a situation where something is falling increasingly behind a standard or competitor. For example, "Due to insufficient investment, the company is "lagging further behind" its competitors in technology adoption".

What are some alternatives to saying "lagging further behind"?

Some alternatives include "falling increasingly behind", "getting progressively behind", or "trailing further behind". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lagging further behind"?

Yes, "lagging further behind" is grammatically correct. It uses the present participle of "lag" to describe an ongoing state of falling behind. This construction is commonly used and accepted in standard English.

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

"Lagging behind" simply means falling behind. "Lagging further behind" emphasizes that the gap is widening, and the entity is not only behind but also falling even further behind than before.