lagging significantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lagging significantly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is falling behind or not keeping pace, often in a comparative context. Example: "The company's sales figures are lagging significantly behind those of its competitors this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

Still, the gap separating Russia and the West, while narrowing, remains wide -- and can be measured in many ways, not just by economic statistics that show Russia lagging significantly behind even Poland, let alone Germany, France or the United States.

The New York Times

His personal ratings have been lagging significantly behind those of David Cameron, while a poll for Prospect magazine found voters thought his brother David would make a better prime minister.

Independent

To keep returns from lagging significantly, some of the top-rated funds take a best-in-class approach.

BBC

In contrast, the study has demonstrated that, in the IT industry, governance is lagging significantly behind, and hence consideration of green practices is a high priority.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Around 40,000$, there is a very large variation in skill outcomes, with Japan and Finland doing great and Italy and Spain lagging significantly behind.

SERIEs

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Tech

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

The Economist

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

The New York Times

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lagging significantly", ensure you clearly define what the subject is lagging behind. Providing a specific benchmark or comparison point enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "lagging significantly" without providing sufficient context. Simply stating something is lagging doesn't convey much information unless you specify what it's lagging behind and why it matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lagging significantly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the verb "lagging". Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing the extent to which something is falling behind, as seen in both news reports and scientific articles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lagging significantly" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is falling behind or underperforming. Ludwig AI validates its use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. It functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the verb "lagging" and emphasizing a noticeable disparity. While "falling far behind" or "trailing substantially" can serve as alternatives, the best practice is to ensure clear context. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase presents a neutral register being suitable for both formal and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling far behind

Emphasizes the distance or extent of the lagging.

trailing substantially

Highlights the act of following behind with a considerable gap.

significantly underperforming

Focuses on the performance aspect and the degree of shortfall.

considerably behind schedule

Specifically refers to being behind in terms of time or deadlines.

noticeably lagging

Indicates that the lagging is easily observed or apparent.

markedly behind

Emphasizes that the difference is quite noticeable.

substantially slower

Highlights the reduced speed or rate of progress.

significantly slower-paced

Similar to substantially slower, but emphasizes 'pace'.

falling considerably short

Focuses on not meeting a specific target or expectation.

appreciably behind

Highlights that the difference is significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "lagging significantly" to describe something that is falling behind or not progressing at the expected rate. For example, "Their sales are lagging significantly behind their competitors".

What are some alternatives to "lagging significantly"?

Alternatives include "falling far behind", "trailing substantially", or "significantly underperforming", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "lagging significantly" or "lagging a lot"?

"Lagging significantly" is generally more appropriate in formal or professional contexts, as it sounds more precise and less colloquial than "lagging a lot".

In what contexts is "lagging significantly" commonly used?

"Lagging significantly" is frequently used in contexts involving performance metrics, economic indicators, scientific progress, and comparisons between different entities or groups.