albeit barely

USAGE SUMMARY

"albeit barely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce a contrast or concession in a sentence, typically indicating that something is true, although it may be only barely or marginally so. Example: "She managed to finish the race, albeit barely, due to her injured ankle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Nowadays in books, the plural is still preferred, albeit barely.

The Economist

Oliver Golding once played the Palladium, albeit barely visible.

The Guardian - Sport

Canada signed on early to the new rules but then bent them on Tuesday, albeit barely.

The New York Times - Sports

All six teams, by the way, qualified for the 2018 knockout stage, albeit barely in the case of Argentina.

Yale University

Hours later, Oakley, Michael Jordan and their younger Wizards teammates backed them up, albeit barely.

The New York Times - Sports

As to whether Amgen's claims were clear enough, he wrote, "Amgen survives, albeit barely".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

An agent quoted me $1,213, beating (albeit just barely) the $1,294 route I found using ITA Software by Google, a site that finds the cheapest flights but does not book them.

The New York Times

Even so, LG truly does seem to be turning things around, albeit just barely.

TechCrunch

Thus, I missed on this one, albeit just barely and in typical Tesla fashion -- as a result of a flashy announcement that caused the share price to surge.

Forbes

Hillary needs to make this gun control distinction with Bernie because it is the only position on which she is to the left of him, albeit just barely.

Huffington Post

Census estimates for 2004 show that the state's population grew for the first time since 1996, albeit by barely 1,000 people, to 634,000.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "albeit barely" to subtly acknowledge a limitation or qualification without undermining the main point of your statement. It adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "albeit barely" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "but just" or "though only just" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "albeit barely" functions as an adverbial modifier, introducing a concession or qualification to a statement. As Ludwig AI explains, it acknowledges something is true, but only to a small degree. Examples show it modifying verbs and entire clauses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "albeit barely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that adds a nuanced layer of meaning to your writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it introduces a slight concession, indicating that something is true but only to a limited degree. While prevalent in neutral and formal contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia, it may feel out of place in more casual settings. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal. Related phrases, such as "though only just" or "even if only slightly", can provide suitable alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though only just

Replaces "albeit" with "though" and "barely" with "only just", keeping the meaning of a narrow margin.

even if only slightly

Emphasizes the slight degree of something, replacing "albeit" with "even if".

if only just

Expresses a condition that is barely met, replacing "albeit" with "if".

notwithstanding its slightness

Formally acknowledges the small degree, replacing "albeit barely" with a more elaborate phrase.

even though minimal

Highlights the minimal aspect, using "even though" to introduce the concession.

though scarcely

Uses "scarcely" to replace "barely", indicating a minimal amount or degree.

while only just

Similar to "though only just", using "while" to introduce the contrast.

granted it's minimal

Acknowledges the minimal nature of something, using "granted" as a concession.

accepting it's slight

Similar to 'granted it's minimal', emphasizing acceptance of a small degree.

in a limited way

Focuses on the limited extent of something, offering a more general alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "albeit barely" to introduce a concession that something is true or exists, but only to a small degree. For example, "The team qualified for the finals, "albeit barely", due to a technicality".

What phrases are similar to "albeit barely"?

Similar phrases include "though only just", "even if only slightly", and "if only just". These all convey the idea of something being true or happening to a small degree.

Is "albeit barely" formal or informal?

"Albeit barely" leans towards the formal side but can be used in neutral contexts. Simpler phrases might be better for very informal situations.

Can I use "albeit barely" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, it's more common and natural to use "albeit barely" in the middle of a sentence, typically after the main clause that it modifies. Starting a sentence this way can sound awkward.