we were behind schedule

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were behind schedule" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a project or task is not progressing as planned and is taking longer than expected. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were behind schedule on the project and needed to adjust our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

We were behind schedule, and everyone but me was working hard to make up some mileage.

The New York Times - Travel

(This sort of thing: "We had set a full functionality deadline of September 1996 but we were behind schedule by April so we revised for December, but then it was May and we were behind the revised schedule").

The Guardian - Books

"The only pressure was that we were behind schedule".

Science Magazine

We were behind schedule.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"We're behind schedule as it is".

The New Yorker

"We're behind schedule, I'm sorry," she announced.

The New Yorker

"We are doing our best to get her ready for Arkansas, but we're behind schedule".

The New York Times - Sports

It isn't true that we are behind schedule," Mr. Letta said at the opening.

The New York Times

"We're behind schedule, we're at a disadvantage, and I don't know what our governor's plan is to reposition Iowa".

The New York Times - Health

On Tuesday night, Wojcicki wrote a short blog post, acknowledging, "We are behind schedule with our responses" to the F.D.A.

The New Yorker

But no matter how strong the temptation to stay in, Gracie demands her walks, appealing to us with her soulful, puzzled eyes when we are behind schedule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were behind schedule", clearly state the reason for the delay to provide context and transparency.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we were behind schedule" without explaining the impact or consequences. Providing details about the missed deadlines or affected milestones adds clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were behind schedule" functions as a statement indicating that progress is not aligned with the planned timeline. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is common and suitable for conveying that tasks or projects are delayed. Examples show its use across various sources, describing delays in projects and daily tasks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were behind schedule" is a common expression used to indicate that progress on a project or task has not been progressing on time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While fairly common, it is important to provide context when using this phrase, such as explaining the reasons for the delay or the impact it may have. Alternative phrases include "we were delayed" or "we fell behind", which may offer subtle differences in meaning. The usage patterns show it appears most frequently in news and media, formal and business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were delayed

This alternative simply states that there was a delay, without necessarily implying a pre-set schedule.

we fell behind

This suggests a gradual process of lagging, rather than a sudden occurrence.

we were running late

This phrase is more informal and often used in everyday conversations or less formal business settings.

we were not on track

This indicates a deviation from the planned course, implying a need for realignment.

we were off schedule

Similar to "behind schedule" but can also imply that there was not schedule at all.

we lagged behind

Emphasizes the act of falling behind over time, highlighting a gradual decrease in progress.

we missed the deadline

Focuses on the failure to meet a specific deadline, which may be a single instance.

we were overdue

Implies that something was due at a specific time and that time has passed.

our progress was slow

Highlights the rate of advancement, indicating that it was slower than desired.

we couldn't keep up

Suggests a struggle to maintain the required pace or level of performance.

FAQs

What does "we were behind schedule" mean?

It means that progress on a task or project was slower than planned, leading to a failure to meet established deadlines or milestones.

Is it acceptable to use "we were behind schedule" in formal writing?

Yes, it's acceptable in formal writing, but ensure you provide context and reasons for the delay to maintain clarity and professionalism.

What can I say instead of "we were behind schedule"?

You can use alternatives like "we were delayed", "we fell behind", or "we were running late", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "we were behind schedule" and "we missed the deadline"?

"We were behind schedule" indicates a general delay in progress, whereas "we missed the deadline" focuses specifically on failing to meet a particular deadline.