we are falling short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are falling short" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something is not meeting expectations or goals. Example: "After reviewing our quarterly performance, it is clear that we are falling short of our sales targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And we are falling short".

The New York Times

As a whole, the rest of the league, we are falling short in things that we used to do to the other teams.

The Guardian - Sport

On September 13, UNICEF announced that we are falling short of our promises, and that 6.6 million children still died needlessly in 2012.

The New York Times

But we are falling short if we are not also teaching our students to value their own humanity, which is inextricably tied to the love, care, and dignity we accord others in our lives.

Princeton University

In the UN preface to the summit, it states: "Ten years on from the original adoption of the MDGs at the 2000 Millennium Summit, and despite remarkable progress in some countries, collectively we are falling short in their achievement.

The Guardian

Most of us don't even identify ourselves as caregivers; just good daughters, sons, mothers, and fathers trying to do our best, yet constantly feeling like we are falling short of doing an adequate job of anything.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Sadly, we are falling short--for our communities and our students--allowing our children to idle in the doldrums of low expectations.

Huffington Post

We're falling short on the character stakes".

The Guardian - Sport

"In the last three weeks, we were falling short of that.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of us feel that we've never found it, we've lost it, or in some way we're falling short.

Harvard Business Review

So that 9/11 effect, if it persists, could mean that several decades from now we'll more effectively recognize the ways that we're falling short of our national ideals about this being one community, one country—not class-fractured.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are falling short" to acknowledge deficiencies in a group or collective effort, emphasizing the need for improvement and accountability. For example, "In customer satisfaction, "we are falling short", and must implement new strategies to improve our service standards."

Common error

Don't just state that "we are falling short" without specifying the areas where improvement is needed. Provide specific data or observations to support your claim and guide corrective actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are falling short" functions as a statement of deficiency or failure to meet expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly used to acknowledge areas where performance or results are not satisfactory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Science & Research

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are falling short" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a failure to meet expectations or a deficiency in performance. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in written English and commonly appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia. While primarily neutral in tone, it conveys a need for improvement and encourages corrective actions, making it crucial to provide specific examples of the shortcomings to enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are not measuring up

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or level.

we are failing to meet expectations

Directly states the failure to satisfy anticipated outcomes.

we are lagging behind

Implies a slower pace or progress compared to others or a set goal.

we are deficient

Highlights a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

we are not up to par

Suggests that the performance is below the expected or acceptable level.

we are underperforming

Focuses on the substandard level of achievement or output.

we are not achieving our goals

Explicitly states the failure to accomplish desired objectives.

we are lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something needed.

we are missing the mark

Implies that efforts are not aligned with the intended target or objective.

we are slipping

Suggests a gradual decline in performance or quality.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "we are falling short"?

Saying "we are falling short" means that a group or entity is not meeting the expected standards, goals, or performance levels. It indicates a deficiency or failure to achieve desired outcomes.

How can I use "we are falling short" in a sentence?

You can use "we are falling short" to express a lack of progress or achievement. For example, "In environmental sustainability, we are falling short, and need to intensify our conservation efforts."

What are some alternatives to saying "we are falling short"?

You can use alternatives like "we are not measuring up", "we are failing to meet expectations", or "we are lagging behind" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we are falling short" in formal writing?

Yes, "we are falling short" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing performance or goal attainment. It conveys a clear and direct message about deficiencies, and can be used for a professional or neutral context.