trailed behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"trailed behind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical action, particularly when someone or something is following another person or thing. For example, "The children trailed behind their parents as they walked down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I trailed behind, carrying the shovels.

The New Yorker

Her husband, Al, trailed behind, holding a fat cigar.

The New York Times

They trailed behind as the Arab soldiers threw matches onto the roofs of the huts.

The New Yorker

Bayer trailed behind, walking alongside a downtrodden junior named Justin Owens.

The Washington Post

Shannon Flood was several strides ahead; I trailed behind, picking my way around the black ice.

The Washington Post

One of Mr. Blair's security personnel trailed behind in a motorboat.

The New York Times

As long as employees can remember, pleasing shareholders has trailed behind other objectives.

The New York Times

Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the mayoral race, trailed behind on 8% in the new poll.

The Guardian

When he turned a page, a long cascading series of replicas trailed behind, like a stroboscopic photograph.

The New Yorker

I trailed behind, pushing the baby in the stroller, trying my best to keep up.

Huffington Post

Challenger David Nos trailed behind, having culled just $3,900 from supporters.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trailed behind" to vividly describe the physical positioning of someone or something following another, especially when there's a sense of distance or lagging.

Common error

Avoid using "trailed behind" when you simply mean "followed closely". The phrase implies a noticeable gap or slower pace compared to the one being followed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trailed behind" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of following someone or something at a distance. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in describing physical movement or figurative lagging.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "trailed behind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the action of following at a distance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for depicting scenarios where one entity lags or follows another with a noticeable gap. It appears most commonly in news and media, with neutral register and is suitable for various writing contexts. While alternatives like "lagged behind" or "followed at a distance" exist, it's important to retain the sense of spatial or temporal separation inherent in the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lagged behind

Indicates a slower pace or greater distance from the leader.

followed at a distance

Emphasizes the act of following but not closely.

brought up the rear

Specifically indicates being at the very end of a group.

walked behind

A simple description of physically walking after someone.

came after

A more general way of saying someone followed.

remained behind

Highlights the act of staying back while others move forward.

fell back

Suggests a deliberate or unintentional decrease in pace or position.

stayed behind

Focuses on the action of remaining in a previous location.

dwelt behind

Implies remaining at or lingering in a place or state.

lumbered behind

Suggests a slow, heavy movement while following.

FAQs

How can I use "trailed behind" in a sentence?

You can use "trailed behind" to describe someone or something following at a distance. For example, "The children "trailed behind" their parents on the hike".

What are some alternatives to "trailed behind"?

Alternatives include "lagged behind", "followed at a distance", or "brought up the rear", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "trailed behind of" instead of "trailed behind"?

No, the correct phrasing is simply "trailed behind". Adding "of" is grammatically incorrect.

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

"Trailed behind" implies a gap or distance between the follower and the followed, while "followed closely" indicates a very short distance between them. They are not interchangeable; consider using "followed at a distance" if you want a closer term.