barely before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened just a short time before another event or action. Example: "She had barely before finished her homework when her friends arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In the days leading up to the First Test, barely before, there was a change of heart.

Independent

But barely before the sub, the Komsomolets, could accomplish anything, a fire burst out underwater.

The New York Times

Mason was played poorly on Monday, too, stopping just 14 of 18 shots, often just barely, before giving way to Mathieu Garon.

The New York Times - Sports

The story goes that Jarrett was on the phone to ECM boss Manfred Eicher barely before the applause had died down, convinced this was his best gig in years – and he's right.

The Guardian - Music

It made me think of a baby's instinct for reading two dots and a dash as a face barely before its eyes can focus, a fundamental anthropomorphism upon which art has always thrived; and of the curious, often theatrical way in which policemen declare their profession by eyeing the world.

The Guardian - Arts

Ford eventually asked Rockefeller to withdraw from the ticket for the 1976 election given Rockefeller's unpopularity within the party, but it was November 3 , 1975 before Rockefeller made the announcement - well after the July 15 , 1975 formation of Citizens for Reagan, which would become Reagan's campaign committee, and barely before the formal announcement of Reagan's candidacy on November 20.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

LA fell behind early on Saturday night, but barely blinked before hitting back with four first-half goals.

The Guardian - Sport

Serve the galette hot as a first course or barely warm before dessert as a cheese course, with a tangle of sweet mâche in vinaigrette alongside.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, he shipped out from Pskov barely a month ago, just before his 28th birthday on Feb. 16.

The New York Times

Etheridge pulled off another decent save when he got a strong hand to Ruud's drive before but Odense had barely threatened before they halved the deficit.

BBC

She'd barely noticed it before, but now she sensed it in the closet, neglected, suffering.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely before" to create a sense of urgency or highlight the close succession of events. This can make your writing more engaging and emphasize the timing.

Common error

Avoid using "barely before" when you mean "slightly before" or "a little before", as "barely" implies a minimal amount of time, not a small degree of something else. Be precise with your adverb choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely before" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, specifying the timing of an event in close proximity to another. Ludwig's examples showcase its capacity to denote minimal temporal separation, as recognized by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely before" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote a very short time interval between two events. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's used to indicate that something happened just before something else. Primarily found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When writing, aim to be precise with adverbs of degree and, consider alternatives such as "just before" or "shortly before" to suit the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just before

Indicates a very short time interval, similar to the original phrase but uses a different adverb.

shortly before

Emphasizes the briefness of the time preceding an event; slightly more formal.

almost before

Highlights the near simultaneity of events; focuses on the lack of separation.

scarcely before

Implies a minimal amount of time elapsed; synonymous but less common.

hardly before

Similar in meaning, stressing the brief interval; interchangeable in many contexts.

immediately prior to

More formal alternative, suitable for academic or professional writing.

right before

Emphasizes the immediacy of the preceding event; more informal.

on the verge of

Focuses on the imminence of the second event, rather than the timing relative to the first.

in anticipation of

Highlights an expectation of the following event, adding a sense of anticipation.

in advance of

Indicates preparation for a future event, not necessarily a close temporal relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "barely before" to indicate that something happened just a very short time before something else. For example: "She had "barely before" finished her homework when her friends arrived."

What's a good alternative to "barely before"?

You can use "just before", "shortly before", or "almost before" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely before" formal or informal?

"Barely before" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "immediately prior to" may be preferred in academic writing.

How does "barely before" compare to "scarcely before"?

"Barely before" and "scarcely before" are very similar in meaning, both indicating a very short time interval. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.