not keeping up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not keeping up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is unable to maintain the same pace or level of performance as others. Example: "She felt overwhelmed at work, realizing she was not keeping up with her colleagues' productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As good times keep going, this fear of missing out -- and not keeping up -- grows.

Forbes

Weingarten is just not keeping up".

The New York Times

And I'm not keeping up".

The New York Times - Sports

My pay is not keeping up with inflation.

The New York Times

Charities are notorious for not keeping up with technology.

The Guardian

"The numbers of legal software sales are not keeping up".

The New York Times

An increase in back orders signaled that businesses were not keeping up with demand.

The New York Times

The flipside is represented by companies like railroads where depreciation is not keeping up with spending.

The New York Times

The World Bank has fined Iran for not keeping up with loan payments.

The Economist

"The traditional signature-based method of detecting malware is not keeping up".

The New York Times - Tech

But the funds, squeezed by fuel economy, are not keeping up with the nation's infrastructure needs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not keeping up", ensure the context clearly defines what standard or pace is not being maintained. For example, specify "not keeping up with technology" or "not keeping up with the competition".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "keeping". The correct form is "keeping up with". Incorrect usage includes "keeping up in" or "keeping up on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not keeping up" primarily functions as a verbal phrase expressing an inability to maintain a certain level, pace, or standard. As seen in Ludwig examples, this can apply to various contexts, from technology to personal skills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not keeping up" is a very common phrase used to express the inability to maintain a certain pace or standard. Grammatically sound and versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral settings, you can use alternatives like "falling behind" or "lagging behind" to add nuance. Remember to use the preposition "with" correctly after "keeping up". Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and widespread applicability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling behind

Suggests a gradual loss of position or progress relative to others.

lagging behind

Implies a slower pace compared to others, often in a competitive context.

unable to keep pace

Directly states the inability to maintain the same speed or progress.

not staying current

Focuses on the failure to remain updated with the latest information or trends.

out of sync

Indicates a lack of alignment or coordination with others or with current standards.

losing ground

Suggests a decline in position or advantage.

struggling to maintain

Highlights the difficulty in preserving a certain level or standard.

not measuring up

Implies a failure to meet a required standard or expectation.

failing to catch up

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to reach the same level as others.

out of touch

Suggests a lack of awareness or connection with current events or trends.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "not keeping up"?

Saying someone is "not keeping up" means they are failing to maintain the same pace, level, or standard as others, or that they are falling behind in some way.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "not keeping up"?

You can use alternatives such as "falling behind", "lagging behind", or "unable to keep pace" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "not keeping up" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company is "not keeping up" with the latest trends in the market," or "His skills are "not keeping up" with the demands of the job."

What's the difference between "not keeping up" and "falling behind"?

While similar, "not keeping up" often implies a current or ongoing failure to maintain pace, whereas "falling behind" can suggest a more significant or prolonged state of lagging.