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Phrasal verbs "get ahead of" vs "get behind"

Differences between get ahead of and get behind

Get ahead of means to be in a better position than someone else, to make progress or to anticipate something. On the other hand, get behind means to fall behind, to support someone or something, or to delay doing something.

Meanings and Definitions: get ahead of vs get behind

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Get ahead of

  • 1Move in front of.

    I work at home in the evening to GET AHEAD OF schedule.

Get behind

  • 1Support.

    All the students GOT BEHIND the teacher.

Usage Examples: get ahead of, get behind in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

get ahead of

Example

She tries to get ahead of her work to have more free time on weekends.

Example

He gets ahead of his classmates by studying extra hours.

get behind

Example

I always get behind my friends when they need support.

Example

She gets behind her favorite sports team during every game.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get ahead of

make progress

To move forward or improve in a particular area or task.

Example

By studying hard, she was able to make progress in her English language skills.

stay ahead of the game

To remain competitive or successful by being proactive and staying informed.

Example

In order to stay ahead of the game, the company regularly updates its products and services to meet customer needs.

anticipate

To expect or predict something in advance.

Example

By analyzing market trends, the company was able to anticipate changes in consumer behavior and adjust its strategy accordingly.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get behind

support

To help or encourage someone or something.

Example

She decided to support her friend's charity event by donating money and spreading the word on social media.

fall behind

To fail to keep up with others or to make progress at the same pace.

Example

Due to illness, he started to fall behind in his coursework and had to work extra hard to catch up.

put off

To delay doing something until a later time.

Example

He decided to put off cleaning the house until the weekend when he had more free time.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “get”

Differences in get ahead of vs get behind: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: get ahead of or get behind?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but get behind is slightly more common than get ahead of. This is because get behind can be used in a wider range of situations, such as supporting a cause or a person, while get ahead of is more specific to making progress or anticipating something.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of get ahead of and get behind

Both get ahead of and get behind are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of get ahead of and get behind

The tone of get ahead of and get behind can differ based on context. Get ahead of often carries a competitive or ambitious tone when related to making progress or being in a better position than others, while get behind typically has a supportive or empathetic tone, especially when referring to supporting a cause or a person.

get ahead of & get behind: Synonyms and Antonyms

Get ahead of

Antonyms

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