slipping further behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slipping further behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is falling behind in progress, performance, or competition over time. Example: "As the competition intensified, the team found themselves slipping further behind in the rankings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph made two superb saves to prevent Birmingham slipping further behind, but things started to unravel for Doncaster just before the hour.

BBC

Two new national polls showed Mr. Gore slipping further behind Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

And while blacks are catching up to whites in performance of the basic skills, showing an ability to do simple arithmetic, for example, they are slipping further behind whites when asked to do more complicated work, like fractions, percentages or decimals.

The New York Times

U.S. oil production may be slipping further behind that of Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Forbes

If you do happen to fall behind carry on with current work and use weekends and holidays to catch up, rather than slipping further behind.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Schwartzel bogeyed the penultimate hole and slipped further behind with a five at the last.

The Guardian - Sport

He has slipped further behind in the polls, and a national survey published on Sunday showing him trailing Clinton by eight points.

The Guardian

Strictly Come Dancing returned with a record launch audience of nearly 9 million viewers as Simon Cowell's The X Factor slipped further behind in the ratings.

The Guardian

Glory slipped further behind in the A-League title race after suffering a shock 2-1 loss to the lowly Jets at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the last one, Wales has slipped further behind in the Pisa education league rankings.

BBC

Cardiff were cruelly denied a point by Seamus Coleman's injury-time winner as the Bluebirds slipped further behind in their bid for Premier League survival.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slipping further behind" to describe a gradual decline in position, performance, or status relative to others. It's most effective when the subject was previously at a comparable level.

Common error

Avoid using "slipping further behind" when describing an abrupt failure or collapse. This phrase implies a gradual process, not a sudden event. Opt for words like "plummeting" or "collapsing" instead to convey that sense of immediacy and surprise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slipping further behind" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used within a clause to describe a state of decline or regression relative to a comparative benchmark. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly portrays situations where progress is not being maintained.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

General

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slipping further behind" accurately describes a gradual decline or regression relative to others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. It is commonly employed in news and media, as well as in sports contexts, to express concern over a deteriorating situation. Related phrases include "falling further behind" and "losing ground", offering semantic variations for different contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it applies to gradual processes, not sudden collapses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling further behind

Uses a different verb, 'falling', to convey the same meaning of decreasing relative position.

lagging further behind

Replaces 'slipping' with 'lagging', suggesting a slower pace compared to others.

losing ground

Implies a loss of advantage or progress.

falling increasingly behind

Adds emphasis to the continuous nature of the decline.

getting left behind

Focuses on the consequence of being overtaken by others.

falling by the wayside

Suggests a complete failure to keep up.

being outpaced

Highlights the faster progress of competitors.

falling into arrears

Relates specifically to falling behind in payments or obligations.

retrogressing further

Emphasizes a movement backward rather than simply falling behind.

decelerating further

Implies a slowing down in progress, leading to a relative decline.

FAQs

How can I use "slipping further behind" in a sentence?

You can use "slipping further behind" to describe a gradual decline in performance, position, or status. For example, "If the company doesn't innovate, it risks "falling further behind" its competitors".

What's a good alternative to "slipping further behind"?

Alternatives include "lagging further behind", "falling further behind", or "losing ground", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "slip further behind" or "slipping further behind"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "slipping further behind" (present continuous tense) emphasizes an ongoing process, while "slip further behind" (infinitive) suggests a potential future outcome or general tendency. For example, "Without economic reform, the country will "slip further behind"" vs. "The country is "slipping further behind" in education rankings".

What does it mean when something is "slipping further behind"?

It means that something or someone is progressively losing its position or advantage relative to others, indicating a gradual decline in performance, status, or progress.