things are behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things are behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that tasks or projects are not progressing as planned and are delayed. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, things are behind schedule, and we need to adjust our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the city is, in general, making good progress on its agenda, some things are somewhat behind schedule.

Huffington Post

Preparations for both votes are behind schedule.

The New York Times

Many plans are behind schedule.

The New York Times - Science

"It's OK for things to be behind schedule.

Independent

Through one day, things are on schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

The elimination process is not public until it's over, but two things are clear: the selection process is behind schedule, and the court may have to take a flexible approach to the standards of impartiality in order to seat a jury.

The New Yorker

This means making sure that things are kept to schedule and assisting or having backup plans if it falls behind -- and being okay with it.

WikiHow

(This sort of thing: "We had set a full functionality deadline of September 1996 but we were behind schedule by April so we revised for December, but then it was May and we were behind the revised schedule").

The Guardian - Books

The shoot was behind schedule.

The New York Times

(2) It is behind schedule.

The Economist

"We're behind schedule as it is".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things are behind schedule", clearly identify the specific "things" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "project milestones are behind schedule" instead of just "things are behind schedule".

Common error

Avoid using "things are behind schedule" without explaining why they are behind or what the impact is. This vague statement lacks actionable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things are behind schedule" functions as a statement indicating that progress or completion of tasks, projects, or activities is not occurring according to the planned timeline. Ludwig AI says the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things are behind schedule" is a grammatically sound phrase used to communicate that tasks or projects are not progressing as planned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it can be considered somewhat informal. More formal alternatives like "progress is not on track" or "deadlines have not been met" may be preferred in certain contexts. Providing specific context when using this phrase is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Without any real-world examples in the search data, a complete analysis is not possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're not on schedule

A direct statement that the current progress does not align with the planned timeline.

projects are delayed

Focuses specifically on projects not meeting their deadlines, omitting other general "things".

we are running late

More informal and personal, indicating the speaker or a group is not on time.

progress is lagging

Emphasizes the slowing down of advancement towards a goal.

timelines are not being met

Highlights the failure to adhere to established schedules.

deadlines have been missed

Directly states that deadlines were not achieved.

the plan is off track

Indicates a deviation from the intended course of action.

the schedule is slipping

Suggests a gradual falling behind, rather than a sudden delay.

goals are not on target

Focuses on the failure to achieve specific objectives within the set timeframe.

the work is overdue

Highlights that tasks have exceeded their expected completion dates.

FAQs

How can I use "things are behind schedule" in a sentence?

You can use "things are behind schedule" to indicate a delay in progress, such as: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, "things are behind schedule", and we need to adjust our timeline accordingly."

What's a more specific alternative to "things are behind schedule"?

Instead of ""things are behind schedule"", you could say "project milestones are delayed" or "the production timeline is slipping" for greater clarity.

Is it appropriate to use "things are behind schedule" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""things are behind schedule"" is somewhat informal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "progress is not on track" or "deadlines have not been met".

What are some common reasons why "things are behind schedule"?

Common causes include unexpected challenges, resource constraints, poor planning, or scope creep. Identifying the root cause is crucial for addressing the delay and preventing future occurrences.