barely able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is just barely capable of doing something. For example: "After weeks of rigorous training, the apprentice was barely able to lift the heavy shipping crate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was barely able to control it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was barely able to get out.

The New York Times

I was barely able to raise him.

The New York Times - Sports

I was barely able to contain myself".

The Guardian

He seemed barely able to move.

The New Yorker

He looked barely able to move.

The Guardian - Travel

She shivered, barely able to control herself.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes patients are barely able to stand.

The New Yorker

By that time I was barely able to move.

Independent

Some reach their goal barely able to stand.

Independent

We were barely able to hear the last rites.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely able to", ensure the context clearly indicates the struggle or near impossibility of performing the action. For example, "After the marathon, he was "barely able to" walk."

Common error

Avoid using "barely able to" when the action is only slightly challenging. This phrase implies a significant struggle, so reserve it for situations where the difficulty is considerable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely able to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a verb. It indicates a state of near-inability or a situation where performing an action requires significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely able to" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where an action is performed with great difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's considered grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "barely able to", consider alternative phrases like "hardly capable of" or "scarcely able to" to add nuance. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the difficulty is significant to avoid overstatement. By understanding its proper usage, you can effectively convey the sense of struggle and precariousness associated with the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just able to

Stresses that the action was achieved by a small margin.

hardly capable of

Indicates a low level of skill or capacity, suggesting significant difficulty.

scarcely in a position to

Emphasizes a lack of suitable circumstances or resources.

just about managed to

Highlights the narrow margin of success in achieving something.

with difficulty being able to

Focuses on the effort and struggle involved.

on the verge of being unable to

Indicates being close to the point of not being able to do something.

on the edge of being able to

Similar to 'on the verge', highlighting the precariousness of the ability.

with great effort able to

Underscores the considerable exertion required.

minimally equipped to

Focuses on the lack of sufficient resources or qualities.

ill-equipped to

Emphasizes a lack of readiness or suitability.

FAQs

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

Use "barely able to" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to perform an action, implying they are close to being unable to do it. For example, "She was "barely able to" contain her excitement."

What's the difference between "hardly able to" and "barely able to"?

"Hardly able to" and "barely able to" are very similar. "Barely able to" might suggest a slightly more immediate struggle, while "hardly able to" can describe a more prolonged or consistent difficulty.

What are some alternatives to "barely able to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "scarcely able to", "just able to", or "hardly capable of".

Is "barely able to" formal or informal?

"Barely able to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig's examples shows its use in news reports, personal stories and even scientific articles.