barely cover

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely cover" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an inadequate amount of something, or when a number of items have been just enough to make up a total. For example, "The rent this month barely covered our living expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could barely cover the insurance.

The New York Times - Arts

These barely cover course delivery at present.

The Guardian

Stir and barely cover with water.

The New York Times - Food

We can barely cover the costs of the fuel".

Independent

That implies it will barely cover its cost of capital.

The New York Times

If necessary, add enough water to barely cover the chicken.

The New York Times - Health

Add enough cold water to barely cover them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add just enough broth to barely cover it.

The New York Times - Food

Pour maple syrup enough to barely cover bottom, also add 1 Tbsp of melted butter.

Cornell University

Otherwise, "you're relegated to fund-raising efforts that barely cover the maintenance costs".

The New York Times - Arts

Mrs. Aluede's allotted funds barely cover the $1,700-a-month rent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely cover" in cooking contexts, be precise about what is being covered. For example, "Add enough broth to barely cover the vegetables".

Common error

Avoid overstating the level of inadequacy implied by "barely cover". It suggests a near-sufficiency, not a complete lack of coverage. If something is entirely uncovered, use stronger language like "doesn't cover" or "fails to cover".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely cover" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of covering something to a minimal or insufficient extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples showcasing its role in expressing near-adequate coverage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely cover" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote minimal or near-insufficient coverage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and common in English, particularly within news and media, science, and academic contexts. When employing "barely cover", ensure clarity by providing context and avoiding overstatement of the insufficiency. For alternatives, consider "hardly cover", "scarcely cover", or "just cover" to fine-tune your intended meaning. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly cover

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving coverage; indicates that something is covered to a very small extent.

scarcely cover

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of coverage, suggesting it's only just achieved.

just cover

Focuses on the idea that something is covered to the minimum extent necessary.

marginally cover

Implies coverage is at the very edge or margin of what's needed.

insufficiently cover

Directly states that coverage is not adequate or enough.

inadequately cover

Similar to insufficiently cover, stressing the lack of proper or satisfactory coverage.

only just cover

Highlights how close something is to not being covered at all.

narrowly cover

Indicates that something is covered within very tight limits.

superficially cover

Suggests the coverage lacks depth or detail.

lightly coat

Specifically relates to surface coverage, implying a thin layer.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely cover" to indicate that something is only just sufficient or adequate. For example, "My salary "barely covers" my living expenses."

What are some alternatives to "barely cover"?

Alternatives to "barely cover" include "hardly cover", "scarcely cover", or "just cover". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "barely covers"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The form "barely covers" is used when the subject is singular (e.g., "The payment barely covers the cost"), while "barely cover" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The payments barely cover the costs").

What does "barely cover" mean in a cooking context?

In cooking, "barely cover" means to add just enough liquid to almost submerge the ingredients. This ensures they cook evenly without becoming waterlogged. For example, "Add water to "barely cover" the vegetables".