bare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is without covering, decoration, or additional elements, often implying a sense of simplicity or minimalism. Example: "The room was bare, with only a single chair and a small table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

David Cameron will doubtless depart from his political career next month with the bare minimum of a few lucrative company directorships and a kiss-and-tell book deal, so long as that police horse, Raisa and the lamb he cuddled at Easter can be persuaded to ditch their own competing publications, both currently being ghostwritten from audiotapes by the Financial Times's Ben Thompson.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buried in thousands of pages of court documents, I found wiretap transcripts and FBI surveillance logs and testimonies in which the details of insidious global conspiracies had been laid bare.

The Guardian - Books

Even before news of Cantor's departure leaked, the battle to succeed him was under way, laying bare the deep fissures tearing the GOP apart.

The Guardian

As a feminist who has devoted her entire adult life to campaigning against unspeakable atrocities toward women committed by violent men, I find the idea of Brown's "rebranding" as a "hard man" ready to "pummel David Cameron into defeat with his bare fist" deeply offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

The piece, entitled Hunger Hurts, was written when Jack Monroe was at her wits' end: no money, the food cupboard bare, the housing benefit cheque turning up, inexplicably, £100 short.

The Guardian

The reason parallels the situation in the UK, where David Cameron returned with a majority of seats conjured from a bare plurality of votes.

The Guardian

Over glasses of water in a Philippine cafe in a Doha suburba populated by migrant workers, the women laid bare their wretched six-month odyssey, which has left them on the brink of despair and repatriation.

The Guardian

North of Addis Ababa we took a hard, dusty mountain road to the ancient holy city of Lalibela and marvelled at the monolithic cave churches hewn from bare rock.

The Guardian - Travel

Even to an untrained eye, the rolling hills of Mbulu district in northern Tanzania are alarmingly bare.

The Guardian

"When you're talking about trust, the book doesn't help because a lot of relationships were laid bare in it," confirmed Harrison, the former broadcast rights executive at the media group IMG, who began his own role in January.

The Guardian - Sport

The police officers pulled his shirt up and slowly moved a metallic object down his bare skin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bare" to describe a lack of something, ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing (e.g., "a room bare of furniture").

Common error

Avoid using "bare" when a more specific adjective would provide a clearer and more vivid image. Instead of "bare minimum", consider "essential" or "basic".

Linguistic Context

The word "bare" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of covering, ornamentation, or something essential. Ludwig examples show it describing physical states (e.g., "bare skin") and abstract concepts (e.g., "bare minimum").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "bare" is a versatile adjective indicating a state of being uncovered, minimal, or lacking something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common, predominantly in news and media contexts. It is crucial to consider the context when using "bare", as it can range from describing physical exposure to a lack of essential elements. Remember to use more specific adjectives to enhance clarity and avoid overuse in complex descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncovered

Indicates a lack of covering, similar to "bare", but may imply a deliberate removal of a covering.

naked

Implies a complete absence of covering, often referring to skin or a lack of concealment.

exposed

Suggests vulnerability or openness to the elements, similar to being "bare".

unadorned

Refers to a lack of decoration or embellishment, conveying simplicity.

plain

Indicates a lack of complexity or ornamentation, similar to a "bare" state.

minimal

Emphasizes the reduction to the fewest possible elements or components.

stripped

Highlights the removal of something, leaving only the essential elements.

empty

Suggests a lack of content or inhabitants, related to the concept of "bare" space.

unfurnished

Specifically refers to a lack of furniture, creating a "bare" interior.

stark

Implies a harsh or severe simplicity, often used to describe landscapes or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "bare" in a sentence?

"Bare" can be used to describe something uncovered, minimal, or lacking adornment. For example, "The walls were "plain" and bare" or "He walked with "uncovered" bare feet".

What are some alternatives to the word "bare"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "naked", "exposed", "unadorned", or "minimal".

When is it appropriate to use "bare" instead of "naked"?

"Bare" is often used for objects or parts of the body, suggesting a lack of usual covering (e.g., "bare branches"). "Naked" generally refers to the entire human body without clothing.

Is "bare" always negative in connotation?

No, "bare" isn't always negative. It can simply describe a state of being uncovered or minimal, which can be neutral or even positive in contexts emphasizing simplicity or authenticity.