barely different from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely different from" is correct and is used in written English.
It indicates a slight difference between two things, so you can use it when making a comparison between two similar things. Example: The two recipes produced dishes that were barely different from one another.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

And what's immediately striking is that Abby's frustrations are barely different from those of a straight woman in comparable circumstances.

The Guardian - Film

Humanity, in his view, is a "vile, unhappy race, barely different from the apes," and relationships between people are "at best indifferent and more often cruel".

The New York Times - Books

The rate of above-the-line voting at the 2010 state election was 96% – barely different from the 97.3% rate for the Senate last year.

The Guardian

It was possible to see the shapes of bluffs and, well back from the road and barely different from the stars, the occasional yard light at a ranch.

The New Yorker

"Jokes barely different from McGill's could casually be uttered between the murders in Shakespeare's tragedies," wrote George Orwell in an essay entirely devoted to the artist and his cards.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are speaking here of a man who placed this nation under siege during an unrelenting reign of terror that is barely different from the current rampage of Boko Haram.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Dial looks barely different today from the way he did when he and Arnett first met: he has a long, regal face; a high, lined forehead; shrewd, narrow eyes set above prominent cheekbones; a pencil mustache like Little Richard's.

The New Yorker

Further, despite the large differences in KA between our set of fast-evolving genes and the set of conserved genes from Haddrill et al. (2010), πS is barely different between the two data sets.

Genome Biology and Evolution

The UK is barely different.

The Guardian - Opinion

The organizers, inexplicably, built no respectable restaurants or enticing stores within the zone; the concession stands were best avoided, being barely any different from what you get at Loews before a movie.

The New Yorker

White and Perry could barely be more different from one another.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely different from" to highlight subtle distinctions rather than significant contrasts. It is most effective when emphasizing that two items or concepts are more alike than unalike.

Common error

Avoid using "barely different from" when there are clear and noticeable distinctions. This can mislead your audience and weaken your argument. Instead, opt for phrases that accurately reflect the degree of difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely different from" functions as a modifier, typically describing the degree of similarity between two or more things. It's used to emphasize that while there might be some differences, they are minimal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely different from" is a versatile phrase used to denote a close similarity with minimal distinctions. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison and emphasizes subtle resemblances rather than stark contrasts. While suitable for formal writing, it's important to avoid using it when differences are significant to prevent misleading your audience. Alternatives such as "almost identical to" or "hardly distinguishable from" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly distinguishable from

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing any difference.

almost identical to

Highlights a near-perfect resemblance.

virtually the same as

Indicates that any difference is negligible.

nearly equivalent to

Focuses on functional similarity despite minor variations.

scarcely distinct from

Highlights the lack of clear differentiation.

not significantly different from

Used to describe there is no meaningful or important difference.

minimally divergent from

Emphasizes a slight departure from a common point.

substantially similar to

Suggests a high degree of overlap with only minor variations.

closely resembles

Indicates a strong visual or structural similarity.

bears a close resemblance to

Formal way of pointing a strong visual similarity.

FAQs

How can I use "barely different from" in a sentence?

You can use "barely different from" to indicate that two things are very similar. For example, "The sequel was "barely different from" the original movie", suggesting minimal changes were made.

What's a good substitute for "barely different from"?

Alternatives include "almost identical to", "virtually the same as", or "hardly distinguishable from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "barely different from" in formal writing?

Yes, "barely different from" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure your context requires such a comparison. If the differences are non-existent you may consider phrases like "virtually the same as" for higher impact.

What's the difference between "slightly different from" and "barely different from"?

"Slightly different from" implies a small but noticeable difference, while ""barely different from"" suggests the distinction is so small that it's almost imperceptible.