slightly behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a project or task is not progressing as quickly as planned, but only by a small margin. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are currently slightly behind schedule on the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Unfortunately," he said, "the Senate is slightly behind schedule".

The New York Times

The hearing concluded slightly behind schedule after not quite everyone who wanted to had made a statement.

The New Yorker

Just slightly behind schedule, Kennedy arrives at Davenport College, rushed and flustered, clad in a gray sweat suit and running shoes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here's some reassuring news for those of us whose career plans are slightly behind schedule: It turns out that peaking too early may kill you.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said the modernization of Jamaica station is also slightly behind schedule, but still on track to be completed in 2005.

The New York Times

Construction for the PDSI project in and around the Building 6 courtyard is slightly behind schedule and has increased slightly in cost, said William J. Anderson, Jr., chief facilities officer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 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

"Everything's behind schedule.

Huffington Post

I'm really behind schedule.

Vice

The plane landed 45 minutes behind schedule.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly behind schedule" to communicate a minor delay without causing undue alarm. It's appropriate when the delay is manageable and doesn't significantly impact the overall project or plan.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly behind schedule" when the delay is significant. Overstating the situation can erode trust and credibility. Choose more appropriate phrasing if the delay is more than marginal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly behind schedule" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree to which something is delayed. Ludwig shows this phrase used to describe the status of projects, events, and even personal timelines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly behind schedule" is a common and grammatically sound way to communicate a minor delay. As indicated by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media, academic settings, and scientific reports. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the delay is genuinely minor to avoid misrepresentation. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and offers helpful suggestions, such as "a bit delayed" or "marginally off track", for similar situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit delayed

Indicates a small amount of lateness or postponement.

marginally off track

Suggests a minor deviation from the intended course or plan.

running a little late

Implies a small delay in terms of time.

somewhat delayed

Indicates a moderate level of delay.

a little behind

A more concise way to express being slightly delayed.

moderately delayed

Implies a delay that is more than slight but not major.

experiencing minor delays

More formal phrasing for slight delays.

slightly overdue

Applicable when referring to deadlines.

a tad behind

Informal expression to indicate slight delay.

slipping a bit

Suggests a gradual falling behind on the timeline.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly behind schedule" to describe projects or tasks that are progressing slower than planned. For example, "The project is "slightly behind schedule", but we are working to catch up."

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

You can use alternatives like "a bit delayed", "marginally off track", or "running a little late" depending on the context.

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

The choice depends on the extent of the delay. Use ""slightly behind schedule"" for minor delays and "significantly behind schedule" when the delay is substantial and impacts overall timelines.

What does it mean when something is "slightly behind schedule"?

It means that a task, project, or event is not progressing as quickly as originally planned, but the delay is not severe. It implies that the situation is still manageable and can be rectified without major disruption.