left behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left behind schedule" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey that something is delayed or not on time, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have been left behind schedule on the project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At Chicago's Midway International Airport, one in three planes left behind schedule, earning it the title of tardiest airport -- for a second year in a row.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Things left behind are eloquent.

The New Yorker

Do you feel left behind?

The New York Times

(See "Left Behind: Ireland And Spain").

Forbes

No player gets left behind!

WikiHow

Q. Leave behind?

The New York Times

Miss Bouterse has left behind a blow by blow schedule, written out by hand, with the comment, "They're a good group!" Ms. Billig starts with choral reading, something that Miss Bouterse does not do.

The New York Times

Mr. Sanford later said the false report was based on a tentative schedule he had left behind with his staff, to whom he apologized in a public meeting at the statehouse.

The New York Times

But this attitude of openness shouldn't be left behind with our books and class schedules, it should continue throughout our lives and this is where we often fail.

Huffington Post

She left behind both her tent and an ambitious schedule of marches.

Huffington Post

Nearly three quarters of a million people will not move onto the Government's controversial new benefits system by 2017, ministers admitted on Thursday, because of multiple failures that have left Universal Credit over budget and behind schedule.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct and commonly accepted phrase "behind schedule" to clearly communicate that something is delayed or not on time. This avoids confusion and ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Don't invent phrases like "left behind schedule". Stick to established expressions such as "behind schedule" or "delayed" to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left behind schedule" attempts to describe a state of delay. However, according to Ludwig, this is not a standard English expression. The intended grammatical function is adjectival, modifying an implied subject to indicate lateness or delay relative to a planned timeline.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "left behind schedule" aims to communicate a state of delay, Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's not a standard or grammatically correct English phrase. With only one exact example found, its usage is rare. For clearer communication, it's best to use established alternatives such as "behind schedule" or "delayed", particularly in professional or formal contexts. Sticking to conventional phrasing will help ensure your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind schedule

Omits "left", resulting in a standard and correct expression.

falling behind schedule

Adds emphasis to the act of becoming delayed.

delayed

Replaces the entire phrase with a single, direct synonym.

behind on time

Similar to "behind schedule", but uses the noun "time" instead.

running late

Focuses on the action of being late rather than the state of a schedule.

off schedule

Indicates a deviation from the planned schedule.

lagging behind

Emphasizes the process of falling behind.

not on track

Implies a deviation from the expected progress or timeline.

behind the curve

Uses a metaphor to describe the state of being behind.

slipping schedule

Focuses on the schedule itself as being in a state of decline.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is not on time?

The correct and commonly used phrase is ""behind schedule"". You can also use words like "delayed" depending on the context.

Is "left behind schedule" grammatically correct?

No, "left behind schedule" is not grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate phrase would be ""behind schedule"".

What does it mean to be "behind schedule"?

To be ""behind schedule"" means that a task or project is taking longer than planned and is not progressing according to the set timeline.

Are there other ways to express that something is delayed?

Yes, you can use words and phrases like "delayed", "running late", or "off track" to express that something is not on time.