Grammar Alert II: Lack Behind or Lag Behind?

Common Errors In English With Samuel Alimi

While scrolling through Facebook last Thursday night, I came across a post written by a popular influencer discussing the economic challenges in Nigeria and how they are affecting the livelihoods of the poor who are struggling to feed themselves. Since the main focus of this column is to raise awareness about the English language and analyze errors to improve communication, there is no need to praise or criticize government policies. However, one comment from a student at a particular university who is facing financial difficulties caught my eye and inspired today’s topic for a deeper understanding. The comment read, “Due to financial challenges, I am lacking behind in my academic pursuits.”
The phrase “lack behind,” instead of “lag behind,” despite its popularity, is baseless, ungrammatical, and unacceptable in the English language. After consulting various authoritative dictionaries, including the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is clear that the recognized idiom is “lag behind,” and the verb “lack” is not recommended as a replacement for “lag,” which means “to fall behind.” The word “lack,” which means “being without,” would not be appropriate in this context.
For example, the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary explains that “lag behind” means “to achieve less than someone or something else.” A relevant sentence from the online version is: “Britain is lagging far behind the rest of Europe on this issue.” Furthermore, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “lagging behind” means “to stay or fall behind, or to move, function, or develop too slowly.”

Study the following example sentences:
Despite her effort to graduate with an Upper Second-Class Division, she is lacking behind her peers in terms of research presentations. (Incorrect)
Despite her effort to graduate with an Upper Second-Class Division, she is lagging behind her peers in terms of research presentations. (Correct)
The minister of works complained that the project was lacking behind schedule, and there was a need to work overtime to catch up with the date scheduled for commissioning. (Incorrect)
The minister of works complained that the project was lagging behind schedule, and there was a need to work overtime to catch up with the date scheduled for commissioning. (Correct)
Many foreign companies’ sales have been lacking behind since last year due to the economic crisis.(Incorrect)
Many foreign companies’ sales have been lagging behind since last year due to the economic crisis. (Correct)
Some universities are lacking behind, refusing to adapt to new technology for result collation, transcript collection and general academic affairs. (Incorrect)
Some universities are lagging behind, refusing to adapt to new technology for result collation, transcript collection and general academic affairs. (Correct)

Leftovers and Leftover
Both “leftovers” and “leftover” are two related but distinct terms erroneously adopted by many English speakers. “Leftovers”, which is a noun, refers to the remaining food after a meal, while “leftover”, as an adjective, describes the state of remaining or excess.

Review the example sentences below:
The leftovers food was discarded by the cook. (Incorrect)
The leftover food was discarded by the cook. (Correct)

Femi, Eze and Musa ate the leftovers yam in the kitchen last night. (Incorrect)
Femi, Eze and Musa ate the leftover yam in the kitchen last night. (Correct)
My father warned us against eating leftovers oranges at home. (Incorrect)
My father warned us against eating leftover oranges at home. (Correct)
The adjective “leftover” describes “food,” “yam,” and “oranges” in the above sentences.

Examples where “leftovers” is used as a noun:
Folashade and Olamide wanted to eat the leftovers at the party.
Who ate the leftovers in the house?
Leftovers should not be thrown away in a community where 60% of residents are multidimensionally poor.

Assignment

Choose the correct answers to each of the following questions:

In today’s lesson, “leftover” is categorized as a _____. (a) noun (b) pronoun (c) adjective
Olamide _______ her legs on the brick. (a) hitted (b) hit © cutted
Don’t ________ in your adherence to Allah’s commandments as a Muslim. (a) lack behind (b) lacked behind © lag behind

Please send your responses to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or send an SMS to 07049203179.

Abraham Moses, Nuhu Abdullahi, Yahyah Sanni, Gboyega Oluwatobiloba, Olive Alimi, Philip Etabueke, Olarewaju Sulaimon, Olorunfemi Adewale, Eze Moses, Mohammed Goodluck, Olusola Akinwale, Samuel John, Jamil Aishat, Abdulrahm Ibrahim, Rufai Bashir, Hassan Umar, and Kabir Abdullahi.