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Grammar fix

fall behind with

not keep up with tasks, payments, or work

to not do something as quickly as you should, so that you have more to do or owe than planned.

phrasal verbB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After being sick for a week, I fell behind with my assignments.daily life
  • If students fall behind with their homework, it can be difficult to catch up before exams.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: fall behind with + noun (e.g. work, payments, homework)

WrongI fell behind of my work.

RightI fell behind with my work.

'Fall behind WITH' (or 'on') — not 'of'.

Patternfall behind with + noun (e.g. work, payments, homework)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I have become delinquent with my rental payments.

Natural I've fallen behind with the rent.

'Delinquent with payments' is legal/formal; 'fall behind with' is the everyday phrase.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • fall behind with
    the rentyour workpaymentsschoolwork

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'give up' (to stop trying) or 'miss out' (to not get something). 'Fall behind with' means you are late or have more to do, but you have not stopped completely.

Try it in Daily Speak →