slipping behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slipping behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a project or task that is not progressing as planned and is falling behind the expected timeline. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are slipping behind schedule on the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Like the NIF, it appears to be slipping behind schedule.

The Economist

Sir David also denied that the project was slipping behind schedule: "We haven't stopped anything and haven't delayed a thing".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The government's universal credit scheme has once again slipped behind schedule and will now not be completed until 2022, five years behind its original projected finish date, officials have admitted.

The Guardian

"You are left to your own devices a lot of the time, and unless you are highly motivated and organised, it is very easy to slip behind schedule and waste time.

The Guardian

For 11 years it has been spending heavily on developing the CSeries, a 100- to 149-seater to compete with the slightly larger Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.However, like so many new aircraft, the CSeries has slipped behind schedule and gone over budget.

The Economist

NASA reports at the time questioned Perkin-Elmer's managerial structure, and the polishing began to slip behind schedule and over budget.

Wikipedia

And I will count on you to give me advance warning if it's starting to look like we'll slip behind schedule".

Huffington Post

As August ended, production continued to slip farther behind schedule.

Wikipedia

Working people are slipping behind.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Slipping behind Shanghai" is hardly a vote-winning slogan.

The Economist

"Sorry I'm late," Viola said, slipping behind the bar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternative phrases like "falling behind schedule" or "lagging behind schedule" to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slipping behind schedule" without specifying the cause or impact. Instead of simply stating the phrase, explain why the project is behind and what consequences it may have.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slipping behind schedule" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence to describe the state of a project or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slipping behind schedule" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a project or task that is not progressing as planned. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid expression in English writing. While "common", it is less frequent than alternative expressions with similar semantic proximity such as "falling behind schedule". It's versatile enough for both formal and informal settings but providing context and specifics will strengthen clarity. Common mistakes involve vagueness, so avoid just stating the phrase and provide reasons and potential impacts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling behind schedule

Direct synonym with the same meaning and slightly different phrasing.

lagging behind schedule

Similar meaning, suggesting a slower pace than expected.

getting behind schedule

Implies the action of falling behind is in progress.

falling off track

More general, indicating deviation from the planned course.

not meeting deadlines

Focuses on the missed deadlines rather than the ongoing process.

losing ground

Suggests a loss of progress compared to the initial plan.

progressing slower than anticipated

More formal and descriptive way to express the same idea.

delayed

A concise way of saying that something is "slipping behind schedule".

behind target

Highlights a failure to meet the set targets or goals.

off schedule

Indicates a deviation from the planned timeline, often used in project management.

FAQs

What does "slipping behind schedule" mean?

The phrase "slipping behind schedule" means that a project, task, or activity is not progressing as planned and is falling behind the expected timeline or deadlines.

What can I say instead of "slipping behind schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "falling behind schedule", "lagging behind schedule", or "behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is "slipping behind schedule" formal or informal?

"Slipping behind schedule" is generally considered a neutral phrase that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings may prefer alternatives like "delayed" or "behind target".

How to effectively communicate that a project is "slipping behind schedule"?

When communicating that a project is "slipping behind schedule", it's important to provide context, explain the reasons for the delay, and outline potential solutions or adjustments to mitigate the impact.