fell behind schedule vs have fallen behind schedule

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Fell behind schedule' is in the past simple tense and is used to describe a specific instance of falling behind schedule. 'Have fallen behind schedule' is in the present perfect tense and is used to indicate a more recent or ongoing situation of being behind schedule.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 234 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a specific instance of falling behind schedule.

"fell behind schedule"

This phrase is used in the past simple tense to describe a situation where someone or something failed to keep up with the planned timetable.

Examples:

We fell behind schedule due to unexpected delays.
The project fell behind schedule after the team encountered technical difficulties.

Show examples from the web [+]

Eventually, a feasible method was found, but the sculpture's construction fell behind schedule.
While the Moscow-based company Tehkhom provided the computer hardware on time, the internal NPO Lavochkin team responsible for integration and software development fell behind schedule.
whereas the accession negotiations fell behind schedule due to the border dispute with Slovenia and the Commission's indicative roadmap for concluding the technical negotiations by the end of 2009 could not be met,
Meanwhile, Beresford's men encountered muddy fields and fell behind schedule.
In fact this was the one that fell most behind schedule.
Work could wrap up today on a $7.3 million project that dredged dozens of canals on troubled Lake Griffin.The massive effort - one of the biggest ever handled by the Lake County Water Authority - started in 2005 and fell more than a year behind schedule.
We're 30 seconds behind schedule.
Which means we're already behind schedule.
The delivery might be behind schedule.
Work is steadily falling behind schedule.
We're running eight minutes behind schedule.
Debris fell behind the basement drywall.
We're behind schedule for Parliament.
The project is already behind schedule.
Commander, the accident to the probe pilot puts phase two behind schedule.
Right now we're behind schedule.
We're seven minutes behind schedule.
We are still 32 minutes behind schedule.
We're 15 minutes behind schedule.
General Kohler says we are behind schedule.

Alternatives:

got behind schedule
lagged behind schedule
slipped behind schedule
failed to meet the schedule
missed the schedule

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a more recent or ongoing situation of being behind schedule.

"have fallen behind schedule"

This phrase is used in the present perfect tense to describe a situation where someone or something is currently behind schedule or has recently fallen behind.

Examples:

We have fallen behind schedule due to the recent changes in the project timeline.
The team has fallen behind schedule and needs to catch up quickly.

Show examples from the web [+]

have fallen behind schedule
Despite the fact that the measures differ quite widely, it appears that the majority of Member States have fallen a long way behind schedule in implementing them practically.
The shell of Cloud Gate was fully erected for the grand opening of Millennium Park on July 15, 2004, although it was unpolished and thus unfinished, because its assembly had fallen behind schedule.
In the course of the proceedings the Commission has observed that the owners have been unable to comply with the original timetable for an authorised restructuring plan, and that decision-making has fallen behind schedule.
The development of the third generation mobile communications market has fallen behind schedule, not least because of the cost of creating infrastructures and public concerns over environment and health issues relating to the proliferation of masts.
The Commission has again fallen way behind schedule and is now asking for an unlimited extension of its mandate to carry out the migration.
I've fallen behind in my repair schedule the last couple of days.
whereas the intended purpose of the Spring European Council is to take stock of progress in meeting the strategic Lisbon goal, which has fallen considerably behind schedule and risks missing many of the target dates set in Lisbon,
Some of them may have fallen behind in the past couple of hours.
It may have fallen behind the dressing table.
It must have fallen behind her bureau.
I have very good reason to have fallen behind on my quota.
The latest assessment shows that they have fallen behind their commitments.
The completion dates for these major projects have fallen behind the original timetables.
They are people with aspirations to social position who have fallen behind in the career competition.
Some individuals, commercial enterprises, and countries have grown enormously wealthy while others have fallen behind.
The Pachyrhinosaurus may have fallen behind, but she got here in the end.
But now, you have fallen behind, and we want to help you.
Listen, we have fallen behind LC's wedding pre-checklist.
Yet now we have fallen behind in every category!
There have to be sufficient opportunities and incentives for 'second chances' for young people who have fallen behind.

Alternatives:

are behind schedule
have gotten behind schedule
have lagged behind schedule
have slipped behind schedule
have failed to meet the schedule

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