barely active

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely active" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone that is barely performing the necessary activities. For example: "The economy has been barely active since the outbreak of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This is consistent with the fact that Mn2+ exhibited a high activity and Mg2+ was barely active in phosphatase activation in vitro.

Cell Research

After removal of Mg2+/ATP, the metalloenzyme was barely active toward pNPP, but remained active toward pThr, suggesting that PP2Ac activated by Mg2+/ATP is highly specific for pSer/Thr.

Cell Research

Many markets were barely active after the dust had settled, and the securities were hard to value.

Independent

subdomain of clintonemail.com at hosting provider Network Solutions, in a way that was barely active but was still collecting advertising revenue, the Guardian reported.

The Guardian

The businesses that will suffer the most are the ones who are barely active on Facebook, who think that just putting up a page is good enough.

The New York Times

[H6]:  Giving more weight to barely active users increases the now-casting performance.

EPJ Data Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There were 62.4% who were married, 39.5% smokers, 33.2% who consumed alcohol at least until last month, 6.9% barely physically active, 26.4% had moderate activity and 51.5% had at least primary education.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Group 2 included 44.4% men, 55.6% women, 62.4% married, 39.5% smokers, 33.2% who consumed alcohol at least until last month, 6.9% who were barely physically active, 26.4% with moderate activity and 1.7% with less than primary education.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

The degree of physical activity was investigated in terms of intensity of training and categorized into barely physically active ('nothing at all' and 'very light activity, that is, mostly sedentary, rarely a walk, light gardening or similar, sometimes light housework such as heating food, dusting'), mild ('easier physical exertion ~2 4 h per week such as, walking, dancing and so on.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Group 1 comprised 44.2% men, 55.8% women, 53.6% married, 13.3% smokers, 24.4% who consumed alcohol at least until last month, 8.3% who were barely physically active, 24.9% who reported moderate activity (1 2 h/week) and 3.2% with less than primary education.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Although we did not identify quantitative differences in the levels of endogenous OP-1 in asymptomatic donor SF relative to osteoarthritic SF, there were specific qualitative differences; whereas asymptomatic donor SF had no detectable or barely detectable active (mature) OP-1, the SF from OA joints had both pro-OP-1 and active (mature) OP-1.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely active", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject should ideally be doing. This provides a stronger contrast and emphasizes the lack of activity.

Common error

Avoid using "barely active" when the subject is completely inactive. "Barely active" implies some level of function, however minimal. Instead, opt for phrases like "inactive" or "dormant" for complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely active" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of minimal activity or operation. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely active" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English, as verified by Ludwig. It serves as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating a state of minimal activity. Common contexts include science and news media, reflecting its use in describing states of reduced functionality or operation. While not exceptionally frequent, its meaning is clear, making it a valuable tool in conveying nuanced information about the degree of activity. When using the phrase, ensure the context establishes what normal activity should look like in contrast to the minimal activity you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost inactive

Directly indicates a near-inactive state.

only slightly active

Directly expresses the minimal level of activity.

minimally functional

Emphasizes reduced functionality rather than general activity.

nearly passive

Highlights a lack of active participation or involvement.

scarcely operational

Focuses on the operational aspect, suggesting limited functionality.

just barely functioning

Stresses the minimal level of functionality, implying potential issues.

faintly energetic

Highlights the lack of energy or vitality in activity.

hardly working

Focuses on the aspect of 'working' and suggests it's doing so to a minimal degree.

nominally operating

Indicates operation in name only, with minimal actual function.

virtually dormant

Implies a state very close to dormancy or inactivity.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely active" to describe something that is minimally functioning or performing. For example: "The market was barely active after the crisis."

What are some alternatives to "barely active"?

Alternatives include "almost inactive", "slightly active", or "minimally functional", depending on the specific context.

Is "barely active" grammatically correct?

Yes, "barely active" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something operating at a minimal level. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "barely active" and "inactive"?

"Barely active" implies a minimal level of activity, while "inactive" suggests a complete lack of activity. Use "barely active" when something is still functioning, however slightly, and "inactive" when it is not functioning at all.