barely changes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely changes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is little to no noticeable difference or alteration over time. Example: "The weather in this region barely changes from season to season, making it a popular destination for tourists year-round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The face barely changes from one self-portrait to another.

The Guardian

Bruner's facial expression barely changes, but it is clear that something has gone wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

Damir's expression barely changes, yet he is clearly irritated by the question.

The Guardian - Books

He dives over the scorer's table or slides on the floor and barely changes expressions.

The New York Times - Sports

Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie Apart from the colourful computer animation, this update barely changes a squiggly forelock of Charles Schulz's original comic strip.

The Guardian - Film

Even as he looks to his sweetheart for some sign of tenderness — she thinks he has failed to enlist out of cowardice — his expression barely changes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Interest rates were barely changed.

The New York Times

It was barely changed against the euro.

The New York Times

School test scores have barely changed.

The New York Times

Excluding food and energy, prices barely changed.

The New York Times

Songs barely changed from beginning to end.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or patterns, use "barely changes" to highlight stability or lack of significant fluctuation. For instance, "The company's market share barely changes despite new competitors entering the market."

Common error

Avoid using "barely changes" when a more definitive verb is needed to accurately reflect the situation. For example, if something remains completely constant, using a phrase like "remains unchanged" is more appropriate than "barely changes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely changes" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of minimal alteration. Ludwig AI demonstrates this through numerous examples, where the phrase is used to describe situations in which something undergoes little to no noticeable transformation over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely changes" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a state of minimal alteration or variation. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a verb phrase emphasizing stability and consistency. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including science and news media. While alternatives like "hardly alters" or "scarcely varies" exist, "barely changes" effectively conveys the intended meaning. Remember to avoid using it when stronger verbs are needed for accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly alters

This phrase replaces "changes" with "alters", implying a slight difference in the action verb but maintaining a similar meaning.

scarcely varies

This phrase uses "scarcely" instead of "barely" and "varies" instead of "changes", indicating a slight shift in vocabulary but a similar degree of change.

remains almost constant

This alternative uses a different structure, emphasizing the lack of change by stating that something "remains almost constant."

shows minimal variation

This phrase focuses on the "variation" aspect, indicating that the extent of change is minimal.

exhibits little alteration

Similar to "shows minimal variation", this phrase uses "alteration" to describe the change and "little" to quantify it.

undergoes negligible modification

This option emphasizes the insignificance of the modification.

experiences practically no change

This phrase directly states the absence of change using "practically no change".

almost stays the same

This option uses more colloquial language, but communicates the same basic idea of very little change.

virtually doesn't change

This emphasizes the lack of change.

essentially unaltered

This phrase functions as an adjective, describing something that is almost unchanged.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely changes" to indicate a lack of significant alteration or variation. For example: "The temperature in the room "barely changes", making it ideal for storing sensitive equipment."

What are some alternatives to "barely changes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hardly alters", "scarcely varies", or "remains almost constant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "barely changes" or "barely change"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "barely changes" for singular subjects (e.g., "The price barely changes") and "barely change" for plural subjects (e.g., "The prices barely change").

What's the difference between "barely changes" and "slightly changes"?

"Barely changes" indicates minimal or almost no alteration, while "slightly changes" suggests a small but noticeable difference.