trailing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trailing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to follow or come after something or someone. For example, "The horse was trailing behind the herd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since 2011, United has piled up a mountain of consumer complaints (according to one report, only Spirit has more per passenger) and has repeatedly tallied some of the worst quality rankings in the nation, trailing even discount airlines like Frontier and AirTran.

The Economist

He said he spent the next few minutes walking in a circle in his living room and dining room in disbelief, his dogs trailing him, before he finally called his 27-year-old son to give him the news.

The Guardian

However, the previous occasion when Forbes published the list, in 2008, he was left trailing by Rowling, who had brought in some $300m that year.

The Guardian - Books

Poland's president, Bronisław Komorowski, has conceded defeat in the country's presidential election after an exit poll shows him trailing his rival Andrzej Duda by six percentage points.

The Guardian

Labour has been out of power in Scotland since 2007 and recent polls have suggested it is trailing the SNP in voting intentions for both Holyrood and Westminster.

The Guardian

Instead of leading the pack, Pimco was trailing it.

The Guardian - Money

Some may feel that all this is a little extravagant for an author who had not the intellectual capacity of Jean-Paul Sartre, nor the story-telling skill of François Mauriac, nor the charisma of André Malraux: three of the many rivals trailing behind in the glory stakes.

The Guardian - Books

In contrast, Barack Obama has been more visible in New Jersey, where Democrat Barbara Buono is trailing moderate Republican governor Chris Christie in the run up to the other election for state governor due to take place next week.

The Guardian

Alex Glenn then sustained a serious facial injury midway through the second period but despite trailing 6-4 athehe break, the Broncos took the lead through Sam Thaiday's converted try in the 55th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

The Torino player had seized on the loose ball after Juventus failed to deal with a cross from the right but fell theatrically to the ground after his trailing leg was caught by Andrea Pirlo.

The Guardian - Sport

Later three women also went in, a photographer trailing after them, and they laughed and posed in front of the empty pool.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trailing" in contexts like sports or competitions, ensure it's clear whether you mean 'following closely' or 'losing ground'. Context is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "trailing" interchangeably with "trailing off". "Trailing off" implies a gradual decrease in volume or intensity, whereas "trailing" primarily means following or lagging behind.

Linguistic Context

The word "trailing" primarily functions as a verb, specifically in its present participle form, indicating an ongoing action. It can also function as an adjective describing something that follows behind. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Trailing" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb to describe the action of following or lagging behind, but it can also function as an adjective. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s grammatically sound and frequently encountered, particularly in news and media contexts. While "trailing" is generally neutral in tone, it’s essential to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "trailing off". When writing, ensure the context clarifies whether you mean 'following' or 'losing ground' to prevent ambiguity. Using alternatives such as "lagging behind" or "following behind" can further refine your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tailing

Implies following someone closely, often in a secretive or investigative manner.

following behind

Focuses on the action of coming after, emphasizing the sequential aspect more than "trailing".

lagging behind

Highlights the aspect of falling behind or not keeping pace, similar to one sense of "trailing".

being behind

A simpler way to express being in a position after someone or something else.

coming after

Emphasizes the sequential order, focusing on the act of succeeding or following.

tagging along

Implies a more casual and often unwanted following, adding a nuance not always present in "trailing".

pursuing

Highlights the active chase, implying a more forceful and intentional following.

bringing up the rear

Specifically denotes being at the very back, in the last position.

in the wake of

Describes something that follows as a consequence or result.

shadowing

Suggests a close and often secretive following, implying observation or surveillance.

FAQs

How can I use "trailing" in a sentence?

You can use "trailing" to describe something that is following behind, like "The dog was "trailing behind" its owner" or to indicate being behind in a competition, as in "Our team was "trailing the leaders"".

What's the difference between "trailing" and "tailing"?

"Trailing" generally means following behind or lagging, while "tailing" usually implies following someone closely and discreetly, often for surveillance or investigative purposes. Consider using "following closely" to avoid confusion.

What can I say instead of "trailing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "following", "lagging", "pursuing", or "coming after". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "trailing" to describe someone's voice?

Yes, you can use "trailing" to describe a voice that is fading or becoming weaker, as in "Her voice was "trailing off" as she spoke". However, be mindful of the specific meaning you intend, as it differs from the primary sense of following behind.