are barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are barely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only just meeting a certain threshold or standard, often implying that it is insufficient or inadequate. Example: "The results of the experiment are barely acceptable for publication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are barely profitable".

The New York Times

Some are barely vignettes.

The New York Times - Books

"We are barely living".

The New York Times

Such words are barely reassuring.

Independent

Their careers are barely mentioned.

The New York Times - Books

Their wings are barely clipped.

The New York Times

Americans are barely scraping by.

The Economist

National boundaries are barely acknowledged.

Independent

Viruses are barely life forms.

The New Yorker

Others are barely coherent.

The New York Times - Arts

They are barely nicked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are barely" to emphasize a near-failure or minimal success. It adds a sense of urgency or precariousness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are barely" when a more definitive term is appropriate. If something is clearly absent or complete, "are barely" weakens the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are barely" functions as an adverbial modifier to indicate a minimal degree or extent. It describes that something almost doesn't exist, happen, or suffice. Ludwig examples show its common usage in conveying a sense of scarcity or near absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are barely" is a versatile adverbial modifier that indicates a minimal degree or sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used to express a sense of scarcity or near absence. Predominantly found in news and media, "are barely" serves to emphasize marginality and highlight situations where something almost doesn't meet a required standard. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree and avoid overstating or understating the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are hardly

Emphasizes the small degree or amount, similar to "are barely".

are scarcely

Indicates that something is rare or insufficient, akin to "are barely".

are just about

Implies a minimal level of achievement, similar to "are barely".

are only just

Highlights the narrow margin by which something is achieved, like "are barely".

are faintly

Suggests a weak or slight presence, similar to something being "are barely" noticeable.

are marginally

Indicates a slight or minimal degree, comparable to "are barely".

are just enough to

Highlights the minimal sufficiency of something, similar to "are barely".

are touching on

Suggests a brief or superficial engagement, as if something "are barely" explored.

are thinly

Indicates a lack of substance or depth, similar to something "are barely" covered.

are nominally

Suggests something exists in name only, like "are barely" functional.

FAQs

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

Use "are barely" to indicate that something is only just sufficient or almost non-existent. For example, "The supplies "are barely enough" to last the week".

What's a good alternative to "are barely"?

Alternatives include "are hardly", "are scarcely", or "are just about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when I use "are barely"?

While often used to highlight a deficiency, "are barely" isn't inherently negative. It simply denotes a minimal level, which can sometimes be sufficient or even impressive depending on the context. "The team "are barely holding on", but they're still in the lead".

What's the difference between "are barely" and "are nearly"?

"Are barely" suggests something is close to not existing or not being sufficient, while "are nearly" suggests something is close to being complete or fully present. They have opposite meanings.