we are left behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are left behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of being abandoned or not keeping up with others in a situation. Example: "As the technology advanced rapidly, we felt that we are left behind in the race for innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

If we say it is the world of matter, or the world of atoms, we are left behind by modern physics, which characterizes the world in far more abstract terms.

The New York Times

Now we are left behind as other countries press ahead with more radical reform.

The Guardian

In The Last King of Scotland, while the dictator goes about his terrible but fascinating business, we are left behind to watch Garrigan's rose-coloured spectacles gradually falling off.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, if we are left behind, we all suffer the consequences.

TechCrunch

They only support some good students and we are left behind, so we lose our incentive to practice being autonomous.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

We are left behind and let down.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The MDGs helped the world realize tremendous progress for children – but they also showed us how many children we are leaving behind," said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

Unicef

Now they were doing it and we were left behind, out of the loop.

The Guardian

"There is a danger that, as councils, we're left behind in these discussions and we then face a situation which is a fait accompli.

BBC

'Afghanistan: What We're Leaving Behind.' Watch the VICE News documentary here.

Vice

Moreso, the legacy we're leaving behind may put us in a more dangerous position than before 9/11.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are left behind" to express a sense of exclusion or being outdated in a specific context, such as technological advancements or social changes.

Common error

Avoid using "we are left behind" when you mean to express that you are intentionally leaving something behind. The phrase implies a lack of control or agency, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are left behind" functions as a declarative statement, expressing a passive condition of being overtaken or excluded. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically sound construction. Examples show its use to highlight a sense of lagging in various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we are left behind" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a sense of exclusion or lagging. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts to highlight a concern or deficiency. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a passive state of being overtaken, and consider alternatives like "we are falling behind" or "we are being overlooked" to refine the nuance. Be mindful to avoid misinterpreting it as an active choice of leaving something behind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are lagging behind

This alternative emphasizes the idea of not keeping pace with progress or others.

we are falling behind

Similar to lagging, this suggests a decline in comparison to others.

we are being excluded

This focuses on the aspect of being deliberately kept out of a group or activity.

we are being overlooked

This implies a lack of attention or consideration.

we are becoming obsolete

This suggests that something is no longer needed or used because it has been replaced by something newer or better.

we are being marginalized

This indicates being pushed to the edge of a group or society, lacking power or influence.

we are getting outmoded

This implies becoming old-fashioned and no longer in style or useful.

we are losing ground

This suggests a decline in position or advantage.

we are getting bypassed

This indicates that something or someone is being skipped over or ignored in favor of something else.

we are sidelined

This suggests being removed from the center of activity or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "we are left behind" in a sentence?

Use "we are left behind" to express a sense of being excluded, forgotten, or lagging in progress. For example, "If we don't invest in new technologies, "we are left behind" by our competitors".

What does "we are left behind" mean?

The phrase "we are left behind" implies that a group or entity is not keeping pace with progress, is being excluded from opportunities, or is being forgotten or neglected.

What's the difference between "we are left behind" and "we are lagging behind"?

"We are left behind" suggests a complete exclusion or being forgotten, while "we are lagging behind" implies a slower pace of progress but not necessarily complete exclusion.

What are some alternatives to saying "we are left behind"?

Alternatives include "we are falling behind", "we are being excluded", or "we are being overlooked", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.