significantly behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a project or task is not progressing as planned and is delayed by a considerable amount of time. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the construction project is now significantly behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

By the time he reached Berkner Island, on November 13th, he was significantly behind schedule.

The New Yorker

Indeed, a report that came out at the conference showed that this (admittedly ambitious) campaign is significantly behind schedule.

The Economist

But they ran significantly behind schedule, and the president appeared fidgety and eager to keep things moving during the traditional reading of the summit meeting's final declaration.

The New York Times

In an August 2002 letter, Aileen C. Gribbin, an assistant commissioner of housing preservation and development, told the development group that the project was significantly behind schedule and that the group could lose its status as the designated development manager.

The New York Times

Gene Russianoff, the staff lawyer for the Straphangers Campaign, a rider advocacy group, said the on-time performance figures were misleading because trains often fall significantly behind schedule at the middle of their routes, especially in Midtown Manhattan, where crowds can be thickest.

The New York Times

Real estate executives who have spoken to Mr. Silverstein say that he would seek hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, arguing that the authority has undermined his ability to build the office towers because it is significantly behind schedule in rebuilding Greenwich Street, the $3.2 billion transit hub and a vehicle security center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That plant is running well over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

The majority, EY found, are over budget and behind schedule.

The Economist

That project is running well over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

Many are already over budget and behind schedule.

The Economist

And so I'm just a little behind schedule".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly behind schedule", ensure the context clearly indicates the original planned timeline. Providing specific metrics, like the amount of delay (e.g., "one month significantly behind schedule"), enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly behind schedule" for minor delays. The term implies a considerable deviation from the original timeline, not just a slight setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly behind schedule" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the extent to which something is delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable to describe a situation where something is delayed by a considerable amount of time. For example, 'The project is significantly behind schedule'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly behind schedule" is a phrase used to describe a noticeable delay in a project or task's timeline. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's grammatically sound and widely used across various fields, including news, science, and business. While versatile, remember to ensure the term reflects the real gravity of the delay and is not used for minor setbacks. Alternatives include "considerably delayed" or "substantially overdue". To enhance clarity, provide specific details about the delay and avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably delayed

Replaces "significantly behind schedule" with a more concise alternative.

markedly delayed

Uses a synonym for "significantly" to alter the tone.

substantially overdue

Emphasizes that the deadline has already passed.

appreciably behind

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly different emphasis.

far behind

A shorter, more informal way of saying significantly behind schedule.

noticeably late

Focuses on the fact that the delay is easily observed.

lagging significantly

Focuses on the process of falling behind rather than the state of being behind.

substantially delayed in development

Adds more context about the type of activity that is delayed.

well behind progress

Highlights the deficiency of progress.

running considerably late

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the delay.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly behind schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "significantly behind schedule" to describe projects or tasks that are considerably delayed. For example: "The project is "significantly behind schedule" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to saying "significantly behind schedule"?

Alternatives include "considerably delayed", "substantially overdue", or "far behind". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "significantly behind schedule" or "slightly behind schedule"?

The choice depends on the degree of delay. Use "significantly behind schedule" for substantial delays and "slightly behind schedule" for minor ones. Overstating the delay can be misleading.

What does it mean for a project to be "significantly behind schedule"?

It means the project is considerably delayed compared to its original timeline. The delay is substantial enough to potentially impact overall goals or deadlines.