barely accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely accepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only just accepted or acknowledged, often with a sense of reluctance or minimal approval. Example: "His proposal was barely accepted by the committee, indicating their reservations about its feasibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Powell had barely accepted the reality of Michael's death when "I then lost my brother Vaughan the next year.

The Guardian - Sport

I tried slipping him some bacon as I came in, and he barely accepted it, even though it's bacon, and he's a dog.

The New York Times - Magazine

The 2017 and 2018 issues dealt with the hero's coming out to his parents (who barely accepted his superhero life), his attempts at dating (he learned how to "Netflix and chill") and his fighting villains like the Juggernaut.

The New York Times - Books

The book could never be shown in Pakistan, where homosexuality is recognized as a part of life in many extended families, but is barely accepted in public discourse, Mr. Saeed said.

The New York Times - Arts

It is no surprise, then, that liberals and conservatives alike have been loth to discuss cruising, particularly as the most heralded (if tacitly secure) civil rights win for LGBT people – same-sex marriage – is only barely accepted on the condition of queer life being mythologically private and desexualized.

The Guardian

Similarly, from the mothers' perspectives, talking about this topic with their children is barely accepted.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Indeed, he barely accepts that Georgia lost.

The Economist

"The women newscasters on TV still wear head scarves; the country barely accepts that they show their faces," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The trunk is cavernous until the top is retracted into the forward two-thirds of the space; with the top down, the space will barely accept a single wheeled carry-on and a briefcase.

The New York Times

The combination of macroeconomic easing with microeconomic structural reform might even provide a model for other countries, like Italy and even France.A very logical dream until you wake up and remember that Mr Tsipras probably is a crazy leftwinger and Mrs Merkel can barely accept the existing plans for QE.

The Economist

These men are being exploited because they are black gay artists in an industry that hardly accepts them and barely puts them on a platform.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely accepted" to convey a sense of minimal approval or reluctant consent. It's effective when you want to highlight the reservations or difficulties surrounding the acceptance of something.

Common error

Avoid using "barely accepted" when you intend to describe complete or enthusiastic agreement. This phrase implies a lack of strong support or approval, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely accepted" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or extent to which something was accepted. It describes the manner of acceptance, suggesting minimal or reluctant approval. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely accepted" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote minimal or reluctant approval. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it functions as an adverbial modifier, coloring the verb "accepted" with a sense of reservation. While the usage leans towards neutral or formal registers, it appears across varied contexts like News, Science and Wiki. The frequency of "barely accepted" is uncommon. When writing, remember to consider alternatives like "grudgingly accepted" or "reluctantly agreed to" for subtle differences in meaning. The key takeaway is to use this phrase when you need to specifically emphasize the limited or hesitant nature of the acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grudgingly accepted

Implies acceptance was given unwillingly or with resentment.

reluctantly agreed to

Focuses on the hesitation or unwillingness in giving consent.

scarcely approved

Emphasizes the minimal degree of approval.

nominally endorsed

Highlights that the endorsement was only in name or form, not in substance.

marginally approved

Indicates that the approval was by a narrow margin or just over the threshold.

hesitantly embraced

Conveys a sense of uncertainty or apprehension in the acceptance.

tepidly received

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or warmth in the reception.

unenthusiastically welcomed

Similar to 'tepidly received', emphasizing the lack of excitement.

accepted with reservations

Explicitly states that the acceptance came with certain doubts or conditions.

conditionally agreed

Highlights that the agreement was contingent upon meeting certain conditions.

FAQs

What does "barely accepted" mean?

The phrase "barely accepted" suggests that something was only just approved or agreed upon, often with some reluctance or hesitation. It implies a minimal level of acceptance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "barely accepted"?

Use "barely accepted" when you want to convey that something was only just approved, suggesting a lack of strong support or enthusiasm. For example, "The proposal was "grudgingly accepted" by the committee" indicates their reservations.

What are some alternatives to "barely accepted"?

You can use alternatives like "grudgingly accepted", "reluctantly agreed to", or "marginally approved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely accepted" grammatically correct?

Yes, "barely accepted" is grammatically correct. "Barely" functions as an adverb modifying the verb "accepted", indicating the degree to which the action was performed.