barely capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has minimal ability or competence in a particular area. Example: "He is barely capable of completing the simplest tasks without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But Brian was barely capable of leading himself, never mind a factionalised family business.

The Guardian - Music

He looked barely capable of making the weekend cut as his head and heart were clearly scrambled.

Independent

However, he was having difficulty keeping control, and was drinking so heavily that often he was barely capable of performing.

The Guardian - Music

"The sound was in our heads," Morris says, "but the machines were barely capable of doing it.

The Guardian - Music

Jepsen is, so far, incapable of bitterness — she is barely capable of distance, even when she's looking for an out.

The New Yorker

Otilia's best friend, Gabita, is pregnant and barely capable of facing the brute reality of her circumstances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

And barely capable experiences aren't something we should be welcoming more of.

Vice

Apply Capcom's business model to the makers of Homefront, the long-dead Kaos Studios, and we can conclude that they were barely capable.

Vice

By the shoot-out Djibril Cissé would barely have been capable of a run-up but the manager joked that no one else with cramp could be excused because he himself might then have had to take a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Even when they could barely stand, they proved capable of blasting aces past each other.

The New York Times - Sports

A 1962 road test in Popular Mechanics reported a top speed of 65 m.p.h. with both engines running; on one engine, it was capable of barely 40 miles an hour.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "hardly able to" or "scarcely competent in" for stylistic variation, but be mindful of slight differences in nuance.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of incapability. "Barely capable of" implies some minimal ability, not complete inability. If complete inability is meant, use "incapable of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely capable of" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a limited degree of competence or ability. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used to describe someone or something that has minimal capacity to perform a specific action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely capable of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a minimal level of ability or competence. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as an adjective phrase, frequently appearing in News & Media sources. It's crucial to use it precisely, ensuring the context clearly defines the specific skill or action in question. Remember to avoid overstating incapability and consider alternatives like "hardly able to" for stylistic variation. Being mindful of these nuances will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly able to

Emphasizes the difficulty or struggle in performing an action.

scarcely competent in

Focuses on the lack of proficiency or skill in a specific area.

minimally equipped for

Highlights the inadequacy of resources or preparation for a task.

ill-equipped to

Stresses the lack of necessary tools or skills.

not up to

Indicates a failure to meet the required standard or expectation.

just able to

Implies success by a narrow margin.

marginally qualified for

Suggests possessing the lowest acceptable level of qualification.

almost incapable of

Emphasizes near-total inability, stronger than "barely capable of".

only just capable of

Highlights the precariousness of the ability.

inadequate for

Focuses on the insufficiency for a specific purpose.

FAQs

What does "barely capable of" mean?

The phrase "barely capable of" means having just enough ability or skill to do something, often with difficulty or a low level of competence.

How can I use "barely capable of" in a sentence?

You can use "barely capable of" to describe someone or something that has minimal ability to perform a specific task. For example, "He is barely capable of completing the simplest tasks without assistance."

What are some alternatives to "barely capable of"?

Some alternatives include "hardly able to", "scarcely competent in", or "minimally equipped for depending on the context".

What's the difference between "barely capable of" and "incapable of"?

"Barely capable of" suggests a minimal level of ability, while "incapable of" means completely lacking the ability to do something. The former implies a struggle, while the latter implies impossibility.