trailing closely

USAGE SUMMARY

"trailing closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase typically used to describe a situation where one person or thing is following closely behind the other. For example, "The champion runner was trailing closely behind her opponent as they entered the final lap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Jeff Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal, which is trailing closely behind the three other big networks, seems equally chastened.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is Japan's second-biggest trust bank, handling ¥52 trillion of corporate-pension and other trust assets trailing closely the trust-banking unit of MTFG, which would gain a huge size advantage if a complete merger with UFJ went ahead.

The Economist

Meanwhile, JD is trailing closely through a flurry of deals with key brick-and-mortar players like supermarket group Yonghui and the American giant Walmart.

TechCrunch

We obtained the parameters (lambda = 10.37), (mu = 2.03) and (sigma = 1.12) by fitting Eq. (3) to the book's cumulative sales, the fit being shown in Fig. 10(C), trailing closely the real sales pattern ((R^{2}=0.99)).

EPJ Data Science

In the U.S., Stanford grads will be happy to know that their alma mater topped the list last year in the U.S., with Wharton trailing closely behind, and HBS nabbing third place.

TechCrunch

If the Sparkle Ponies are not being coddled and worshipped by their pack of Instagram followers, they can be seen wandering through The Deep Playa without a cause, often trailing closely behind the one-percenters like a bunch of selfie stick-wielding dementia patients.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

She was trailed closely by an aide who kept journalists at bay.

The New Yorker

It was the best starter, trailed closely by three tiny crab cakes ($12) sparked by a cayenne-sherry mayonnaise.

The New York Times - Food

Clarke leads the European Order of Merit heading into the tournament, but Lee Westwood trails closely, followed by Ernie Els, Thomas Bjorn, Michael Campbell and Colin Montgomerie.

The New York Times - Sports

Attentive basketball fans would agree that Kevin Durant is neck and neck with LeBron James and Chris Paul (and trailed closely by Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant) in the M.V.P. race this season.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In data analysis, use this phrase to highlight two variables that exhibit nearly identical patterns but with one slightly behind the other.

Common error

Avoid using "trailing closely" when the gap is actually widening. Trailing suggests a consistent, near proximity, whereas "lagging" often implies falling further behind or failing to keep up with the pace.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trailing closely" functions as a present participle phrase, usually acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner of an action or an adjectival modifier for a subject. According to Ludwig, it is often paired with the preposition "behind" to specify the point of reference.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trailing closely" is a robust and versatile expression used to describe near-proximity in various fields. Ludwig AI confirms that it is most frequently found in News & Media and Business contexts to describe tight races, whether they are political, athletic, or financial. Its use across high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Economist indicates that it is a standard, correct, and highly effective way to emphasize a narrow margin between a leader and a follower. While often interchangeable with "following closely", the word "trailing" specifically highlights the hierarchical or competitive nature of the relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely following

A simple inversion of the adverb and participle for stylistic variation.

following closely

More general and less focused on being in a 'behind' position in a competition.

nipping at the heels

An idiomatic expression that conveys a more aggressive sense of competition.

pursuing closely

Adds a sense of active chase or intent to overtake.

on the heels of

A prepositional phrase often used to describe timing or physical proximity.

tracking closely

Suggests a deliberate act of monitoring or following a specific path or data set.

behind by a narrow margin

A more descriptive, literal way to explain a competitive ranking.

lagging slightly behind

Focuses more on the delay or gap rather than the act of following.

shadowing

A single-word alternative that implies constant and very near presence.

neck and neck

Implies being even closer, essentially side-by-side rather than one behind the other.

FAQs

How do I use "trailing closely" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe competition, such as: "The incumbent is "leading" the polls, with the challenger "trailing closely" behind."

What can I say instead of "trailing closely"?

Depending on the context, you could use "following closely", "nipping at the heels", or "closely behind".

What is the difference between "trailing closely" and "lagging behind"?

"trailing closely" emphasizes the narrowness of the gap and often an active pursuit, while "lagging behind" focuses more on the failure to maintain speed or position.

Is "trailing closely" appropriate for formal reports?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. It is often found in News & Media and Science contexts to describe data trends or market shares where one entity is "closely trailing" another.