trailed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trailed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that follows closely behind another person or thing, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The dog ran ahead, traile by its owner who was trying to keep up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They trailed by three points.

The New York Times - Sports

Nairo Quintana trailed by 10 seconds.

Independent

They trailed by as many as 21.

The New York Times - Sports

By then, they trailed by 36 points.

The New York Times - Sports

The 49ers trailed by 3 points.

The New York Times - Sports

The Dolphins trailed by 6.

The New York Times - Sports

The 49ers (8-8) trailed by 3-0 at halftime.

The New York Times

San Antonio trailed by 98-83 before charging back.

The New York Times - Sports

The Mets trailed by only 2-0.

The New York Times - Sports

"Staff were shouted at, trailed by police.

The Guardian

WaveRunners chug by, trailed by water-skiers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trailed by" to vividly describe a sequence of events or actions, particularly when emphasizing the close proximity or direct consequence of one thing following another. For instance, "The celebrity was constantly trailed by paparazzi", creating a sense of ongoing pursuit.

Common error

Avoid using "trailed by" when an active voice would be more concise and direct. For example, instead of "The suspect was trailed by the police", consider "The police trailed the suspect" for a stronger, clearer sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trailed by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that someone or something is followed closely by another, often implying a sequence or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trailed by" functions as a versatile prepositional phrase, predominantly used to indicate that something or someone is closely followed. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "followed by" or "pursued by" exist, "trailed by" often emphasizes proximity or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's accuracy and frequent usage in various reliable sources, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

followed closely by

Emphasizes proximity in the following action.

pursued by

Highlights an active chase or pursuit.

accompanied by

Indicates a simultaneous presence or occurrence.

came after

Simple chronological sequence.

shadowed by

Suggests a darker or more secretive following.

tagged along with

Implies a more casual or informal following.

brought up behind

Focuses on the positioning of the follower.

was next in line to

Emphasizes order or succession.

resulted from

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship.

emanated from

Suggests an origin or source of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "trailed by" to describe someone or something following behind another. For instance, "The quarterback was "trailed by" a defender" or "The storm was "trailed by" heavy rains".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "trailed by"?

Alternatives include "followed by", "pursued by", or "accompanied by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was trailed by" instead of "trailed by"?

Yes, "was trailed by" is grammatically correct. It employs the passive voice, indicating that the subject received the action of being trailed. For example, "The suspect was "trailed by" the police" uses the passive voice.

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

"Followed by" generally implies a sequential order or a simple succession, while "trailed by" suggests a closer proximity or a more persistent following. For example, "The presentation was "followed by" a Q&A session", but "The detective was "trailed by" suspicion".