I can barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I can barely" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the speaker is struggling or having difficulty with something. Here is an example: "I can barely keep my eyes open after working all night on this project." In this sentence, the speaker is indicating that they are having difficulty staying awake due to working all night. Other examples could include: - "I can barely reach the top shelf in the kitchen." - "I can barely understand this complicated math problem." - "I can barely remember my own phone number."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I can barely walk.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can barely eat.

Independent

I can barely spell it.

Independent

"I can barely afford beans".

The New York Times

I can barely keep track".

The New Yorker

"Now I can barely speak.

Independent

I can barely breathe.

The New Yorker

I can barely work.

The Guardian

I can barely move.

The New York Times - Magazine

I can barely run".

The Guardian

"I can barely talk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I can barely", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are struggling with. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I can barely" when you mean "I can easily". Overusing this phrase can make your writing seem hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I can barely" functions as an expression of limited ability or capacity. It indicates that the speaker is struggling to perform a certain action or is close to being unable to do so. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I can barely" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a limited ability or significant difficulty in performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is well-established in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "I can hardly" or "I am struggling to" exist, "I can barely" offers a direct and widely understood way to convey near-impossibility or considerable effort. Just ensure the context clearly supports the expression of limitation to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I can hardly

Replaces "barely" with "hardly", indicating a similar level of difficulty or limitation.

I can scarcely

Uses "scarcely" for a slightly more emphatic effect than "barely".

I am struggling to

Shifts the focus to the effort being made, emphasizing the difficulty experienced.

It's a struggle for me to

Emphasizes the difficulty from a more detached perspective.

I find it difficult to

A more formal way of expressing difficulty.

I have trouble

Indicates a general problem or difficulty.

I'm having a hard time

Similar to "I am struggling to", but slightly more informal.

I'm finding it challenging to

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task.

I'm not really able to

Expresses a lack of ability in a more indirect way.

I am not easily able to

This indicates that something is possible, but only with significant effort or difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "I can barely" to express that you have a very limited ability or capacity to do something. For example, "I can barely stay awake after working all night".

What are some alternatives to "I can barely"?

You can use alternatives such as "I can hardly", "I am struggling to", or "I find it difficult to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I can barely"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a limited ability or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What does "I can barely" mean?

It means that you are having a very hard time doing something or that your ability to do it is extremely limited. It expresses a condition close to impossibility.