barely coping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely coping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is just managing to deal with difficulties or stress, often implying that they are struggling. Example: "After the recent changes at work, I feel like I'm barely coping with my responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 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

I was teaching English (very badly), barely coping with temperatures of -15C and fighting a losing battle with the Russian language.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some mourners have even chosen to ignore the war, as much as they can, because they are barely coping as it is.

The New York Times

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

Add in some depression with her domestic circumstances, a bit of alcohol, some gambling and a social environment where the culture of lending and borrowing and barely coping are the norm, and you have the perfect target for high street and internet loan companies".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

Independent

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

The Guardian

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

The Economist

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

The New York Times

Those who suffer from injuries that Gaza could barely cope with before and most certainly can't now.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely coping", consider adding context to explain what is being coped with and why it is a struggle. This provides a clearer picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "barely coping" when the situation is merely challenging but not critical. The phrase implies a severe struggle, so reserve it for situations where failure is a real possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely coping" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the degree to which someone or something is managing a situation. It modifies a verb, highlighting the difficulty and near-failure state of the action. Ludwig confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely coping" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where someone is struggling to manage. According to Ludwig, its usage is widespread across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase can be used in formal writing, it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects the implied level of struggle. Alternatives like "just managing" or "struggling to cope" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed. The phrase functions descriptively and is suitable for neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just managing

Focuses on the act of managing, implying minimal success.

hardly managing

Emphasizes the difficulty in managing, similar to "barely coping".

scarcely coping

Uses a more formal synonym for 'barely', indicating minimal coping ability.

struggling to cope

Highlights the struggle involved in the process of coping.

finding it difficult to manage

Expands on the difficulty, specifying 'managing' as the challenge.

having a hard time coping

Uses a more colloquial expression to convey difficulty.

only just coping

Highlights the narrow margin by which one is coping.

at the end of one's rope

Idiomatic expression indicating extreme distress and limited ability to cope.

barely getting by

Focuses on the idea of 'getting by', implying minimal success and a struggle.

hanging on by a thread

Uses a more metaphorical and dramatic expression of barely coping.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely coping" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to manage a difficult situation. For example, "After the company restructure, the remaining employees are "barely coping" with the increased workload."

What are some alternatives to "barely coping"?

Some alternatives to "barely coping" include "just managing", "struggling to cope", or "hardly managing", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "barely coping" in formal writing?

Yes, "barely coping" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing critical situations in reports or analyses. Its usage is widespread in reliable news and media sources.

What does "barely coping" imply about a situation?

"Barely coping" implies that a person, system, or organization is functioning at the very edge of its capacity, with little or no reserve to handle additional stress or challenges. It suggests a precarious state.