we are falling behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are falling behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something is not keeping up with a certain pace or standard. Example: "With the rapid advancements in technology, we are falling behind our competitors in innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"We are falling behind on too many fronts," he said.

The New York Times

If we don't realise we are falling behind, we will face a serious competitiveness issue.

The Guardian

Every day we are not doing as much as we can, as fast as we can, is a day that we are falling behind".

The New York Times

While he agreed the United States remained a hotbed of good ideas, he said, "in actual downstream deployment we are at risk of falling behind — we are falling behind already".

The New York Times

But the government recognizes it has a technology problem -- "it is increasingly understood that we are falling behind," he says -- and Stephens thinks it's too big an opportunity to pass up.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The result is that we're falling behind fast.

The Washington Post

Proponents of online learning warn that we're falling behind, but skeptics should be asking: Is the instruction good enough?

The New York Times - Magazine

Now we're falling behind; in the latest infrastructure report card, dams, drinking water and wastewater all received D ratings.

Columbia University

"We don't have any kind of strategic plan to deal with infrastructure, and we're falling behind," he said.

The New York Times

"In many of these areas, we're falling behind, and the falling behind is affecting economic growth in the United States," said Gary Cohn, Trump's chief economic adviser, who is helping lead a task force developing Trump's infrastructure plan.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are falling behind" to highlight a deficiency or lack of progress in comparison to a benchmark, competitor, or previous standard. Ensure the context clearly defines what you are falling behind in.

Common error

Avoid using "we are falling behind" without specifying what you are falling behind in. Vague statements lack impact and can confuse the reader. Be specific about the area of concern, e.g., "we are falling behind in renewable energy investment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are falling behind" functions as a statement of comparative assessment, indicating a lack of progress or decline relative to others or a previous state. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, highlighting concerns about competitiveness, technology, and education.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we are falling behind" is a common expression used to convey a sense of lagging or declining relative to a benchmark or competitor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains, particularly in News & Media. To maximize its impact, be specific about the area of concern and avoid vague comparisons. Alternatives like "we are lagging" or "we are losing ground" can be used for nuanced emphasis. Employ this phrase strategically to highlight the need for action and improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are not keeping up

Directly states a failure to maintain the same pace.

we are lagging

Emphasizes a slower pace compared to others.

we are losing ground

Suggests a decline in position or advantage.

we are getting left behind

Highlights the risk of being isolated or excluded.

we are slipping

Implies a gradual decline from a previous standard.

we are outpaced

Focuses on others moving at a faster rate.

we are being overtaken

Focuses on others surpassing us.

we are trailing behind

Highlights being at the rear of a group or competition.

we are falling short

Emphasizes a failure to meet a specific target or expectation.

we are retrogressing

Suggests a backward movement or decline.

FAQs

What does "we are falling behind" mean?

It means that a person or group is not progressing as quickly as others, or not maintaining a previously held standard. It suggests a decline or a failure to keep pace in a certain area.

What can I say instead of "we are falling behind"?

You can use alternatives like "we are lagging", "we are losing ground", or "we are slipping" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we are falling behind"?

It's appropriate when comparing progress against a standard, competitor, or previous achievement, and indicating that current efforts are insufficient to maintain or surpass the benchmark. Ensure that the benchmark is defined.

Is "we are falling behind" a negative statement?

Yes, it generally carries a negative connotation, as it indicates a deficiency or a failure to keep pace. However, it can also be used as a call to action to improve or accelerate progress.