lagging pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lagging pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a speed or rate that is slower than expected or desired, often in contexts related to progress or development. Example: "The project's lagging pace has raised concerns among the stakeholders about meeting the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They had described the invasions as a tactical maneuver by President Robert Mugabe, who has blamed whites for the lagging pace of land reform.

The New York Times

He is hesitant to recreate scenes even when the story's lagging pace begs for a bit of embellishment, and even though his source material — diaries, passengers' letters and transcripts from the coroner's official report — would seem to support some license.

The New York Times - Books

[Excerpt, Page A15.] Mrs. Clinton also benefited from the lagging pace of the first night of the convention: she started 20 minutes late, assuring live coverage by all three networks.

The New York Times

Besides the security problems and the lagging pace of the federal takeover of screening, the main concerns are what many consider to be the impossibility of meeting a Dec. 31 deadline for airports to buy and put in operation large bag-screening machines, an undertaking that will cost billions.

The New York Times

The lagging pace of broadband adoption has thrown the Silicon Valley set into a tizzy.

Forbes

Nelson points to what he sees as the lagging pace of in-house innovation at big pharma and biotech players.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In stage II, tobacco prevalence among men starts to rise rapidly and peaks around 50 80% with female smoking increasing at a lagged pace behind men.

BMJ Open

Other serious headwinds besides a growing overhang of unsold homes are expectations for subdued capital spending (far too much excess capacity in U.S. industry), job growth lagging the pace of consumer spending and a "mildly restrictive fiscal policy".

Forbes

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times makes this point really well, stating, "Experts see almost unlimited promise in the rise of mobile medical apps, but they also point out that regulation is sometimes lagging the pace of innovation, which could harm consumers".

TechCrunch

Experts see almost unlimited promise in the rise of mobile medical apps, but they also point out that regulation is sometimes lagging the pace of innovation, which could harm consumers.

Los Angeles Times

Shifting into Sport mode firms up the handling and brings about faster shifts, but even then the transmission lags the pace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lagging pace", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the pace is being compared to. For instance, specify whether it's lagging behind expectations, competitors, or historical trends.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "lagging pace" is always due to inefficiency. External factors such as market conditions or unforeseen circumstances may also contribute to the slowdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lagging pace" functions as a noun phrase where "lagging" modifies "pace". It is often used to describe a situation where progress or development is slower than expected or desired. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lagging pace" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a slower than expected rate of progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is indeed correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news, scientific and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the benchmark against which the pace is considered "lagging". Related terms include "slow rate", and "sluggish tempo". Avoid attributing a "lagging pace" solely to inefficiency, as external factors may also play a role. Its function is to highlight discrepancies between expected and actual progress, and this can prompt an evaluation of the situation in order to find improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slow rate

Focuses on the slowness of the rate, without necessarily implying it's behind expectations.

slowing momentum

Highlights the decrease in the force or speed of movement or progress.

sluggish tempo

Replaces "pace" with "tempo", implying a lack of energy or liveliness in the speed.

declining speed

Emphasizes the reduction in speed rather than a comparison to a standard.

reduced momentum

Shifts the focus to the reduction in driving force or impetus.

retarded progress

Uses "retarded" to indicate slowed or delayed progress, which can be a more direct but potentially sensitive term.

lethargic progress

Indicates a sluggish and apathetic advancement.

crawl pace

Uses "crawl" to emphasize the extreme slowness of the pace.

snail's pace

Emphasizes the slowness by comparing it to the speed of a snail.

gradual deceleration

Focuses on the act of slowing down over time, emphasizing the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "lagging pace" to describe a situation where something is progressing slower than expected. For example: "The project's "lagging pace" has raised concerns."

What are some alternatives to "lagging pace"?

Alternatives include "slow rate", "sluggish tempo", or "declining speed" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "the pace is lagging" is grammatically correct. However, using the adjectival form "lagging pace" provides a more concise description in many cases.

What's the difference between "lagging pace" and "slow pace"?

"Lagging pace" specifically implies that the pace is behind a certain benchmark or expectation, while "slow pace" simply describes a pace that is not fast. "Lagging" adds the element of comparison.