so far behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'so far behind' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which something has fallen significantly behind or has not kept up with something else. For example: "The company was so far behind the industry standards that they had to completely revamp their processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When you look at stadium development now, Pittodrie's fallen so far behind," Fraser said.

The New York Times

"In technology, you can't be so far behind," Mr. Miscioscia said.

The New York Times - Tech

I was so far behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Why is Hollywood so far behind?

The New York Times - Arts

"She's just so far behind.

The New York Times

We are so far behind here.

The Guardian

Honestly, why is everyone so far behind?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The state has been so far behind.

The New York Times

We are so far behind in technology".

The New York Times

"We have fallen so far behind the other leading clubs.

Independent

Poulter, back in his slipstream, was not so far behind.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so far behind" to emphasize a significant disparity or delay. It adds weight to the idea of being not just behind, but considerably behind.

Common error

While "so far behind" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "significantly trailing" or "substantially lagging" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so far behind" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It intensifies the degree to which something or someone is lagging or trailing, emphasizing a significant disparity. Ludwig AI examples showcase this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so far behind" is a common and correct way to describe a significant lag or deficit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, consider the formality of your writing and opt for more precise alternatives like "significantly trailing" in academic or formal settings. Remember to use "so far behind" to emphasize a considerable difference, rather than a slight one. Its frequency in reputable sources underscores its acceptability in general usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well behind

A simpler and more direct way of saying "so far behind", indicating a clear separation.

substantially behind

Similar to "significantly lagging", but can be used in broader contexts to express being behind.

significantly lagging

Replaces "so far behind" with a more formal and quantifiable sense of being behind.

considerably trailing

Emphasizes the act of following at a distance, highlighting the gap between the subject and leader.

lagging considerably

Inverts the structure while maintaining the meaning of trailing by a noticeable amount.

outpaced by a wide margin

Highlights the degree to which one is trailing in relation to something else.

at a distinct disadvantage

Focuses on the consequence of being behind, which is a lack of advantage.

struggling to keep pace

Emphasizes the difficulty in maintaining the same speed or progress as others.

playing catch-up

An idiomatic expression that highlights the effort needed to overcome the deficit.

severely disadvantaged

Highlights the negative consequences of not being on par with something else.

FAQs

How can I use "so far behind" in a sentence?

You can use "so far behind" to describe something that lags significantly behind another thing or set of standards. For instance, "Our technology is "so far behind" our competitors that we need to invest in research and development."

What's a more formal alternative to "so far behind"?

For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "considerably trailing", "significantly lagging", or "substantially behind". These options convey a similar meaning but maintain a more professional tone.

Is it always negative to be "so far behind"?

While being "so far behind" usually implies a disadvantage, it can also highlight the potential for growth or improvement. It depends on the context and how the information is presented.

What's the difference between "so far behind" and "slightly behind"?

"So far behind" indicates a considerable gap or delay, whereas "slightly behind" suggests a minor difference. The choice depends on the degree to which something is lagging.