lagging in

USAGE SUMMARY

"lagging in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to someone or something falling behind in a particular area, such as in terms of progress or development. For example, "The town has been lagging in investment in renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet she is lagging in the polls.

The Washington Post

But we have been lagging in the past few years.

Harvard University

Mr. McCain is, however, lagging in campaign cash on hand.

The New York Times

Especially in countries that are sorely lagging in women's rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new figures show progress still lagging in some areas.

The New York Times

Even before Thursday's debacle, Johnson was lagging in those surveys.

The Guardian

Some students there were lagging in their studies.

The New York Times

This leads to the student lagging in school, be it academic or social life.

Stanford University

Most states and localities are lagging in doing this, and in properly preserving evidence.

The New York Times

Many poor youngsters arrive for kindergarten lagging in vocabulary and cognitive development.

The New York Times

NATO officials have criticized the new members for lagging in bringing their militaries up to standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lagging in" to clearly indicate a deficit or shortfall in a specific area. Ensure the context makes it clear what the subject is falling behind in.

Common error

Avoid using "lagging in" when a simple lack of something is intended. The phrase implies a previous state of progress that is no longer being maintained. For example, instead of "The project is lagging in funding", consider "The project lacks funding" if funding was never sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lagging in" functions as a descriptive phrase that signifies a state of deficiency or falling behind in a specific area. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from academic performance to economic development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lagging in" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a state of deficiency or falling behind, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's widely used in news media, academic writing, and various other contexts to pinpoint areas needing improvement. While alternatives like "falling behind in" or "deficient in" exist, "lagging in" offers a concise option. Remember to use it when there's an implication of previous progress now lacking. Be aware of the scope of usage to avoid being vague. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can confidently incorporate "lagging in" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling behind in

This alternative suggests a more general sense of not keeping pace with others.

deficient in

This option emphasizes a lack or shortage of something necessary.

not keeping up with

This phrase suggests a failure to maintain the same pace or progress as others.

trailing in

This alternative is more specific to situations involving a race or competition.

underperforming in

This option is commonly used in business or academic contexts to indicate a failure to meet expectations.

losing ground in

This phrase implies a decline from a previous position of strength.

struggling with

This option emphasizes the difficulty experienced in a specific area.

weak in

This alternative suggests a general area of deficiency or vulnerability.

outstripped by

This alternative denotes the condition of performing less well than others.

surpassed by

This phrase indicates that another person or thing has exceeded the performance of other person or thing.

FAQs

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

Use "lagging in" to describe something that is falling behind or not progressing as quickly as it should. For example, "The company is "lagging in" innovation compared to its competitors."

What are some alternatives to "lagging in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "falling behind in", "deficient in", or "underperforming in".

Is it correct to say "lagging behind in" instead of "lagging in"?

While "lagging behind" and "lagging in" both indicate a lack of progress, "lagging in" is more concise and often preferred. "Lagging behind in" can sometimes sound redundant.

What's the difference between "lagging in" and "excelling in"?

"Lagging in" indicates a weakness or deficiency, while "excelling in" indicates strength or superiority. They are antonyms, describing opposite ends of a performance spectrum.