off schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

"off schedule" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is not going as planned or is behind the expected timeline. For example: "The project was already off schedule when the construction crew had to stop work due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

So far, it is way off schedule.

The New York Times

The rain, however, may again throw things off schedule.

The New York Times

Or at least by throwing it off schedule.

The New Yorker

Predictably, within months of signing the contract, VaxGen slipped off schedule and was technically in breach.

The New York Times - Magazine

His concern was that the tournament would be thrown off schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

You're not failing because you are "off schedule" with the grieving process of ending a relationship.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The best trade-off schedule when performing I out outer iterations is to perform at least eight turbo decoding iterations distributed equally into I in=8/I out.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Turns out most car rental agencies offer free pick-up and drop-off (schedule it beforehand) within certain distances.

Huffington Post

(cohort 2) for 7 days, followed by a 7-day interruption of axitinib treatment (week-on/week-off schedule).

British Journal of Cancer

lead-in dose of axitinib could have their dose titrated to 10 mg b.i.d. in a week-on/week-off schedule.

British Journal of Cancer

The RP2D was defined as 20 mg for RO4929097 on 3 days-on and 4 days-off schedule and 30 mg daily for cediranib.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, use "off schedule" to describe deviations from treatment plans or medication schedules.

Common error

Avoid using "off schedule" when a more urgent term like "critical delay" or "behind deadline" is more accurate. Overusing "off schedule" can downplay the seriousness of time-sensitive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off schedule" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not occurring according to the planned or expected timetable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "off schedule" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a deviation from a planned timeline. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While similar to "behind schedule", it carries a slightly less urgent connotation. When writing, consider whether "off schedule" accurately conveys the situation's urgency, and remember that alternatives like "delayed", "behind schedule" or "not on track" may be more precise depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind schedule

Indicates a state of being delayed or lagging in progress.

delayed

A general term indicating postponement or lateness.

behind time

Similar to "behind schedule", focusing on the temporal aspect of the delay.

running late

Implies a current state of being delayed, often in reference to a specific event or appointment.

not on track

Suggests a deviation from the planned course or trajectory.

out of sync

Conveys a lack of alignment with the intended timing or sequence.

derailed

Suggests a more significant disruption, implying a loss of control.

postponed

Indicates that something has been moved to a later time.

rescheduled

Specifically refers to changing the scheduled time of an event.

not according to plan

A broader phrase indicating any deviation from the original plan.

FAQs

How can I use "off schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "off schedule" to describe anything that isn't happening as planned. For example: "The project is currently "behind schedule", and we need to catch up."

What's the difference between "off schedule" and "behind schedule"?

While similar, "off schedule" simply means not following the timeline. "Behind schedule" implies a more significant delay or lag in progress, suggesting that catching up is necessary.

What can I say instead of "off schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "delayed", "running late", or "not on track", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "off schedule"?

It's appropriate when describing a deviation from a planned timeline, whether in project management, medical treatments, or daily routines. It's a generally applicable phrase for indicating something isn't going as planned.