trailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that follows or moves behind another person or object, often in a slow or lingering manner. Example: "The dog trailed behind its owner during the walk, sniffing at every interesting scent along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cameron will also set out plans to restrict foreigners from access to social housing if they have not been resident in the UK for five years, plans widely trailed over the weekend, as well as making it easier for the NHS to claim back the costs of treating people from overseas.

The Guardian

No 10 says the idea was trailed in the manifesto and Ed Miliband in principle had accepted the reform, albeit as part of a wider reform of political funding including a cap on individual donations.

The Guardian

In New Hampshire, he faces at least four major candidates: Santorum, Ron Paul, who came a close third in Iowa, and Newt Gingrich, who trailed in fourth place and has an intense dislike of Romney, and Jon Huntsman, who did not compete in Iowa.

The Guardian

The works, which he trailed on his Instagram account last night, include one piece which somewhat resembles Rodin's sculpture The Thinker, with the figure's hand gone from thoughtfully supporting his face to covering it in despair – or perhaps Niobe, the classical figure weeping for the loss of her children.

The Guardian - Arts

Cochran had 50.9% while McDaniel trailed closely behind on 49.1%.

The Guardian

The Times emphasied the impact of the report on the CIA despite the fact that many of its conclusions "had been trailed long in advance".

The Guardian

The band have completed unreleased songs, which were first conceived in the early 1990s, for new release The Endless River, with the first taster from the album trailed online today.

The Guardian - Music

In a worry for the Conservative plan to break the Ukip momentum in the Newark byelection in a fortnight, the Conservatives trailed Ukip in Newark in the European election by two points, a sign that Ukip could yet get its first MP shortly.

The Guardian

He trailed Jonas Hogh-Christensen throughout the preliminary 10-race series and looked beaten in the medal race.

The Guardian - Sport

After letting slip a 6-3, 40-1540-15 lead to allow Safarova into a decider, she trailed 2-0 beforippinging through the last six games.

The Guardian - Sport

The Greens fell short in several of their target seats as the night progressed, most notably Bristol West, where Darren Hall oversaw a 23% swing towards the party, but still trailed Labour by more than 5,000 votes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trailed" to describe a team's performance, ensure you specify by how much they trailed or the specific metric in which they were behind. For example, "The team trailed by 10 points in the first half."

Common error

Avoid using "trailed" when you mean that someone or something was in the lead. "Trailed" specifically means to be behind, not ahead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trailed" is as the past tense of the verb trail. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the action of following behind or being in a lagging position. Examples demonstrate its use in news, sports, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trailed" is a versatile verb with a clear meaning: to follow behind or to be in a lagging position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its widespread usage in news, sports, and business contexts demonstrates its adaptability. While it's important to avoid misusing it to mean leading, understanding its core meaning will ensure clear and effective communication. Remember to consider the context when choosing synonyms like "lagged behind" or "followed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was behind

Indicates a position of being physically or figuratively behind.

followed

A more general term for moving behind someone or something.

fell behind

Describes the action of losing ground and becoming less advanced or successful.

lagged behind

Indicates a slower pace and greater distance behind.

came after

A simple way to state that something happened or existed after something else.

pursued

Implies active chasing or hunting.

shadowed

Suggests following closely and often secretly.

brought up the rear

Specifically indicates being at the very back of a group.

dawdled

Suggests moving slowly and aimlessly, falling behind as a result.

reeled

Losing stability, or balance, therefore trailing.

FAQs

How do you use "trailed" in a sentence?

"Trailed" can be used to describe following behind, as in "She "trailed" behind the group, taking pictures". It can also mean lagging behind in a competition, such as "The competitor "trailed" in the polls".

What's the difference between "trailed" and "followed"?

"Followed" is a general term for going after someone or something. "Trailed" implies a greater distance or a slower pace. You might say "The detective followed the suspect" or "The child "trailed" behind his parents".

What are some synonyms for "trailed"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "trailed" include "lagged behind", "followed", or "was behind".

Is it correct to say "The team trailed by a lot"?

Yes, it is correct. "The team "trailed" by a lot" indicates that the team was significantly behind in score or performance.