barely cope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely cope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is just managing to handle or deal with a difficult circumstance, often with great difficulty. Example: "After the sudden loss of her job, she could barely cope with the stress and uncertainty of her financial situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Thousands of refugees cross into Lebanon each day – but their host country can barely cope.

Independent

The reality, however, is that it can barely cope with many of the basics.

The Guardian

I'm not keen on the big count because I can barely cope with what I've got.

The New York Times

"I can barely cope with my apartment in New York," she said.

The Guardian

Still, this is a country that, even before the earthquake created so much devastation, could barely cope with the healthy.

The New York Times

IN MANY European countries, dwindling Christian flocks can barely cope with the patrimony they have inherited, from steeples to statues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Iceland's men were barely coping.

The Guardian

It is barely coping, and figures for unemployment range from 14%-20 14%-20

The Guardian - Travel

When they were barely struggling to survive, barely coping with a drastically changed world, fighting to speak their own language quickly became a lost battle.

The Guardian

All of them somehow just barely coped, and Olivia was no worse than the rest, doing some Vegas-y sparkly thing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Gerard Piqué, the central figure in defence, affirmed the sense that he is not the most accomplished organiser and Marc Bartra, playing because of injuries to others, barely coped.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely cope", ensure the context clearly indicates the difficulty and near-failure in managing the situation. This phrase is effective for emphasizing the precariousness of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "barely cope" when the situation is adequately managed. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the capacity to handle the situation is stretched to its absolute limit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely cope" functions as an adverb-verb construction, modifying the verb to indicate the extent or degree of the action. It expresses that the subject is handling a situation with minimal capacity or resources, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely cope" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation where someone or something is just managing to handle a difficult circumstance. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as an adverb-verb construction to convey difficulty and precariousness. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. To ensure effective usage, remember to use it when describing situations at the limit of manageability and to avoid overstating the severity. Alternatives like "struggle to manage" or "hardly manage" can also be considered for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely cope

Synonymous with "barely cope", indicating a minimal ability to deal with something.

only just cope

Indicates coping but with minimal margin, suggesting a high risk of failure.

struggle to manage

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in managing something, emphasizing the struggle.

just manage to handle

Highlights the minimal level of success in handling a situation.

hardly manage

Similar to "barely cope", indicating a very low level of success in managing.

scrape by

Implies surviving or managing with very limited resources or ability.

get by with difficulty

Emphasizes the difficulty encountered while managing or surviving.

find it difficult to cope

Highlights the difficulty in dealing with a situation.

have a hard time managing

Stresses the challenges and difficulties in managing something.

be at the limit

Highlights the state of being at the edge of capacity or ability to manage.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely cope" to describe a situation where someone or something is just managing to deal with a difficult circumstance. For example: "The hospital could "barely cope" with the influx of patients during the pandemic."

What can I say instead of "barely cope"?

Alternatives to "barely cope" include phrases like "struggle to manage", "just manage to handle", or "hardly manage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "barely cope" or "barely coping"?

Both "barely cope" and "barely coping" are grammatically correct, but they have different uses. "Barely cope" is often used in general statements, while "barely coping" describes an ongoing state or action.

What's the difference between "barely cope" and "scarcely cope"?

"Barely cope" and "scarcely cope" are nearly synonymous, both indicating a minimal ability to deal with something. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.