I've barely started

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I've barely started" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you have not yet progressed very far in a task or activity. For example, "I've barely started writing my essay, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And I've barely started.

The New Yorker

And I've barely started my shopping.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In England it has barely started.

The Economist

In the case of waterboarding, it has barely started.

The New Yorker

Then he thrashed his starters for letting the game unravel before it had barely started.

The New York Times - Sports

He was on the verge of destroying his career before it had barely started.

The Guardian - Sport

LIB: We've barely started.

The New York Times

You've barely started.

The Guardian - Opinion

We've barely started with CO2.

Independent

To me, they've barely started.

The Guardian - Books

And Lahman is only looking up and to the right from here, "There's so many places group texting could go and we've barely started".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I've barely started" to indicate that you are at the very beginning of a task or project, implying that much more work remains to be done.

Common error

Avoid using "I've barely started" when you have made significant progress on a task; it can undermine your accomplishments. Instead, accurately reflect the amount of work completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've barely started" functions as a statement of progress, indicating that the speaker is in the very early stages of an activity or task. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I've barely started" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that one is in the initial stages of a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in News & Media sources and is suitable for neutral to informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the amount of work completed to avoid misrepresenting progress. Consider alternatives such as "I've just begun" or "I'm only getting started" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've just begun

Indicates the very beginning of an activity, emphasizing the early stage.

I'm only getting started

Expresses that the current activity is just the beginning of a larger effort.

I've hardly commenced

A more formal way of saying the activity has barely begun.

I'm in the early stages

Highlights that the process is still in its initial phase.

I've only scratched the surface

Suggests that only a small part of the task has been completed.

I'm at the starting point

Emphasizes the initial position in the progression of something.

I'm just getting underway

Similar to "getting started", but slightly more formal.

I'm in the preliminary phase

Describes the activity as being in the preparatory or initial phase.

I've made little progress

Focuses on the small amount of advancement made so far.

I'm in the infancy of this

Emphasizes the activity is new and undeveloped.

FAQs

How can I use "I've barely started" in a sentence?

You can use "I've barely started" to indicate that you are in the initial stages of a task or project. For example: "I've barely started packing for my trip, and I leave tomorrow."

What can I say instead of "I've barely started"?

You can use alternatives like "I've just begun", "I'm only getting started", or "I'm in the early stages" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I've barely started"?

Yes, the phrase "I've barely started" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that you have only just begun something.

What does "I've barely started" imply about the task?

The phrase "I've barely started" implies that the task is far from completion and that a significant amount of work still needs to be done.