Barely sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Barely sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something meets the minimum requirements but is not enough to be considered adequate or satisfactory. Example: "The funding provided for the project was barely sufficient to cover the basic expenses, leaving little room for any additional costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A lifetime is barely sufficient".

The Guardian - Sport

The place receives barely sufficient amounts of annual precipitation for non-mechanized grain agriculture.

University of California, Berkeley

260 seats is barely sufficient for Labour or the Tories to form a credible minority government.

The Guardian - Opinion

So they did, complaining that their pay was barely sufficient to stave off starvation.

The New York Times

In 1945 available rocket propulsion seemed barely sufficient to give the missile a satisfactory tactical range.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, current software configuration management tools use a file-based data model that is barely sufficient to manipulate source code.

Science of Computer Programming

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Once the onions have gone transparent, add the Brussels sprouts, soup cube, and water just sufficient to barely cover the spouts in a saucepan.

WikiHow

Although suing Kidde for violating the confidentiality agreement was an option, X-IT barely had sufficient cash to fill orders, not to mention pay attorney fees.

Harvard Business Review

It took the Obama campaign months to realize that a 2008 version of the McGovern coalition will barely be sufficient to win the nomination, let alone the general election.

The New Yorker

At one point during this gig – the opening night of a UK tour in venues he could easily have sold out four times over – a dozen spotlights suddenly snap to focus on the sharp-suited 22-year-old and his disarming smile, and it barely seems sufficient.

The Guardian - Music

Without proper foods and nourishment, a mother may barely have sufficient nutrients to fulfill her own dietary needs, let alone that of the growing child she holds in-utero.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely sufficient" to express a situation where resources, qualities, or abilities are only just meeting the minimum requirements, often with an implication of potential difficulty or failure if conditions change.

Common error

Avoid using "barely sufficient" when something is genuinely more than adequate. This phrase should be reserved for situations where resources or abilities are just meeting the minimum requirements, not exceeding them. Misusing it can mislead your audience about the actual level of sufficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely sufficient" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the degree to which something meets a requirement. It expresses that something is only just adequate or adequate to a minimal degree, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely sufficient" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that meets the minimum requirements, but with little margin for error. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While it's a useful phrase, it's crucial to consider whether a stronger term is more appropriate to accurately convey the level of adequacy. Alternatives like "just enough" or "hardly adequate" may be more fitting depending on the context. Use "barely sufficient" when you want to emphasize that something is only just meeting the necessary standard and might be vulnerable to changes or challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely adequate

Focuses on the slightly acceptable level.

Just enough

This alternative highlights the idea of meeting the minimum requirement without any excess.

Hardly adequate

This phrase emphasizes the inadequacy of something, suggesting it's barely meeting the necessary standard.

Minimally adequate

This term stresses the idea of meeting the bare minimum requirements.

Scarcely enough

This alternative suggests that there is very little of something, making it just sufficient.

Only just adequate

This phrase reinforces the idea that something is just barely meeting the necessary requirements.

Marginally sufficient

This suggests that something is only slightly above the level of being insufficient.

Sufficient, but not by much

Highlights the closeness to the minimum threshold.

Almost insufficient

Indicates a near failure to meet requirements.

Perilously adequate

This term implies a dangerous level of adequacy, where any slight change could make it insufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "barely sufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "barely sufficient" to describe situations where something meets the minimum requirements but is not fully satisfactory. For example, "The funding was barely sufficient to complete the project" or "His skills were barely sufficient for the job".

What are some alternatives to "barely sufficient"?

Alternatives to "barely sufficient" include "just enough", "hardly adequate", and "minimally adequate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "barely sufficient" and "sufficient"?

"Sufficient" implies that something meets the necessary requirements adequately. "Barely sufficient" suggests that something meets the minimum requirements but is not abundant or fully satisfactory. The former is more positive, while the latter implies a lack of margin or potential for problems.

Is it better to aim for "sufficient" or "barely sufficient"?

It's generally better to aim for "sufficient" rather than "barely sufficient". "Sufficient" implies a comfortable level of adequacy, while "barely sufficient" suggests a precarious situation where any changes could lead to inadequacy. Aiming for sufficiency provides a buffer and reduces the risk of failure.