was falling behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"was falling behind" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is not keeping up with a standard, pace, or competition. Example: "She realized she was falling behind in her studies." Alternative expressions include "was lagging behind" and "was trailing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Soon she was falling behind on bills.

The New York Times

It was falling behind in scandal and mayhem news.

The New York Times - Sports

Africa was falling behind and it was not acceptable".

The New York Times

No wonder the company was falling behind in innovation.

Harvard Business Review

He repeated the miscue in the third set as he was falling behind, 5-2.

The New York Times

Rather, it was George Bush's political position.The president was falling behind in the horse-race.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

If you are falling behind, be proactive.

Princeton University

"I'm falling behind in school work.

The Washington Post

Americans were falling behind, he said.

The New Yorker

"We are falling behind," Mr. Vallone said.

The New York Times

If English learners are falling behind, schools should take action.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the preposition "on" when referring to quantifiable obligations like "on bills", "on rent" or "on schedule".

Common error

Do not confuse "was falling behind" with a simple failure to meet a goal. Use "was falling behind" to describe a continuous process of losing distance or pace. If the failure is a one-time event, use "fell short" or "missed the mark".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was falling behind" functions as a past continuous verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe an ongoing state in the past where a subject is not keeping up with a standard, pace or competition. It combines the auxiliary verb "was" with the present participle "falling" and the adverbial particle "behind".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was falling behind" is a robust and versatile English expression used to denote a continuous lack of progress. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and highly effective in both personal and professional writing. It is most frequently employed in high-quality journalism and business analysis to describe subjects ranging from students struggling with coursework to nations losing their competitive edge in global markets. Its strength lies in its ability to depict a process of decline rather than a static failure, making it ideal for narrative contexts where the evolution of a problem is being discussed. Whether used with "in" for general fields or "on" for specific obligations, it remains a clear and authoritative choice for any writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was lagging behind

Uses a more informal verb that emphasizes slower movement or delayed progress

was losing ground

Adds a competitive metaphor, implying a loss of advantage or position

was trailing

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the continuous aspect of being behind

fell behind

Shifts the focus from the process of failing to the completed state of being behind

was failing to keep up

Explicitly mentions the inability to maintain a necessary pace

was slipping back

Suggests a gradual or involuntary loss of progress

was being outpaced

A passive construction focusing on the entities that are moving faster than the subject

was dropping behind

Similar to falling but can imply a more sudden or physical distance increasing

was struggling to keep pace

Emphasizes the effort involved in trying (and failing) to stay current

was falling short

Focuses on failing to reach a specific target or standard rather than just relative pace

FAQs

How do I use "was falling behind" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a subject failing to keep up with a pace or standard, for example: "The company realized it "was falling behind" in technical innovation compared to its competitors."

What is the difference between "was falling behind" and "lagged behind"?

"was falling behind" emphasizes the continuous process of losing ground, whereas "lagged behind" often describes a completed state or a consistent gap.

Can I say "was falling behind on" for work?

Yes, it is very common to use it with "on" for specific tasks or duties, such as "was falling behind on work" or "was falling behind on payments".

Is "was falling behind" formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is widely accepted in professional contexts. For a more formal tone, you might consider alternatives like "was failing to maintain parity" or "was being outpaced".