barely assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is only slightly or minimally accepted or taken for granted. Example: "The theory was barely assumed by the scientific community, leading to further debate and research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Almost as if to prove the point, Argentina's new centre-right president, Mauricio Macri, had barely assumed office when his name popped up in the files of the international Panama Papers financial scandal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prent notes that when Shumlin "had barely assumed office, aided in no small part by the efforts of progressive minded folks like myself who abhor the exploitation of Wal-Mart, the Governor made it clear that his loyalty is to the monied class of developers and pocket-padders".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Furthermore, since the aggregates themselves barely move, we assume that the barrier retains already small entities, such as perhaps the individual mis-folded proteins, as discussed above.

eLife

Formed from volcanic material, the mountain's rock was assumed to be barely permeable, but it has cracks through which water travels rapidly.

The New York Times

Towards Naples, to the north west, this tephra fall hazard is assumed to extend barely past the slopes of the volcano.

Wikipedia

California Governor Jerry Brown, a Democrat, dismissed the ad as "barely a fart," but some observers assumed that he was only feigning nonchalance.

The New Yorker

And yet the blacks in the novel are nameless and faceless, their language barely more than grunts; they are assumed to be cannibals.The only explanation for this, Achebe concludes, is "obvious racism".

The New Yorker

It assumed that the owners' expenses would barely increase while rents soared.

The New York Times

He won barely 3% of the ballots cast, and many assumed it was the end of his political career.

The Guardian

Since advertising barely existed in China, Stern later said he assumed he was largely giving his highlights away in exchange for exposure to the vast Chinese audience.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the Clinton campaign also failed to invest sufficient resources in those areas and Clinton herself barely campaign in Wisconsin, because her advisors mistakenly assumed that it would be a slam-dunk win.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely assumed" when you want to emphasize that a role, responsibility, or idea has only recently been taken on or accepted, often implying a sense of newness or instability.

Common error

Avoid using "barely assumed" when you intend to convey that something is strongly or well-established. The phrase carries an inherent implication of newness or potential fragility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely assumed" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to modify a noun, often denoting a role, responsibility, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies a recent action or state with connotations of newness or potential instability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely assumed" is a verb phrase indicating that something has only recently been taken on or accepted. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and useful in written English. Its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news and media, and scientific contexts. When using "barely assumed", it's crucial to understand the nuance it adds, implying newness and potential instability. Alternative phrases, such as "newly assumed", can be used to convey similar meanings, but the specific choice depends on the desired emphasis. Therefore, consider the context carefully to ensure that the chosen phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

newly assumed

Focuses on the newness of the assumption or role.

recently taken on

Highlights the recent act of assuming a responsibility or position.

just assumed

Emphasizes the immediacy of the assumption.

scarcely taken up

Indicates something has been adopted but not fully embraced.

minimally accepted

Conveys the idea that the assumption has only a slight degree of acceptance.

newly in charge

Highlights the newness of one being in a position of command.

freshly appointed

Emphasizes the recent nature of an official appointment.

barely in power

Implies a fragile or tenuous hold on authority.

newly inaugurated

Specific to assuming office through an inauguration.

recently established

Focuses on the recent establishment of something, whether an idea or organization.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely assumed" to describe roles, responsibilities, or ideas that have only recently been taken on. For example, "The president had "barely assumed" office when the crisis began."

What phrases are similar to "barely assumed"?

Similar phrases include "newly assumed", "recently taken on", or "just assumed", all of which emphasize the recent nature of the assumption.

Is "barely assumed" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "barely assumed" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing the early stages of a role or responsibility. However, consider the nuance it adds—implying a lack of established stability.

What's the difference between "barely assumed" and "firmly established"?

"Barely assumed" suggests a recent beginning with potential instability, while "firmly established" implies a long-standing and secure position. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum.