barely even acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely even acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone makes a minimal or insufficient recognition of something or someone. Example: "In his speech, he barely even acknowledged the contributions of his team, which disappointed many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Imagine the type of amazing game Nintendo could make for an iPhone, yet they can they barely even acknowledge that the iOS platform exists, and has the potential to eviscerate their portables business," said Joel Johnson, editorial director for Kotaku, a popular online video game blog.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most business advice books focus on issues like maximising profitability, ROI, product innovation, operational efficiency, and beating the competition, so it is a breath of fresh air that Hsieh barely even acknowledges these topics.

The Guardian

Pardew may have his critics on Tyneside – although he was largely ignored by a former public who barely even acknowledged his technical area presence – but Palace's manager is no tactical mug and clearly did a job on his former employers during a scrappy opening half.

The Guardian - Sport

He barely even acknowledges their exploitation and their deplorable working conditions.

Los Angeles Times

The mainstream media is barely even acknowledging the report's release.

Huffington Post

"I barely even know you".

The New Yorker

Like, I barely even recognize him anymore.

The New Yorker

Try to not even acknowledge this person.

WikiHow

None of them even acknowledged his presence.

The New Yorker

I barely even socialized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They're barely even twisted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely even acknowledge" when you want to emphasize that someone is not giving sufficient attention or recognition to something important. For example, "The report barely even acknowledged the impact of climate change on the economy."

Common error

Avoid using "barely even acknowledge" too frequently in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes come across as less precise than alternative phrasings like "scarcely recognize" or "minimally address".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely even acknowledge" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb, indicating the degree to which an action (acknowledging) is performed. It serves to express that the action is happening to a minimal extent, almost to the point of non-existence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Science & Research

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely even acknowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a minimal level of recognition or acknowledgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid phrase in written English. Its function is to express a lack of attention or insufficient recognition, often implying criticism. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives in formal writing to enhance clarity. Related phrases such as "scarcely recognize" or "almost ignore" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. Remember that while effective, overuse in formal settings may reduce the impact, so choose carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost ignore

Suggests a near-complete lack of acknowledgement.

scarcely recognize

Emphasizes the difficulty in recognizing or acknowledging something.

hardly take notice of

Highlights the lack of attention given to something.

slightly acknowledge

Indicates a very small degree of acknowledgement.

give minimal recognition to

Focuses on the act of providing a very small amount of acknowledgement.

superficially recognize

Indicates a shallow or surface-level acknowledgement.

barely register

Focuses on the lack of impact or notice something receives.

cursorily acknowledge

Suggests a hasty and brief acknowledgement.

negligibly acknowledge

Implies that the acknowledgement is so small it's practically non-existent.

infrequently recognize

Highlights the rare occasions when acknowledgment occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "barely even acknowledge" in a sentence?

Use "barely even acknowledge" to express that someone is giving minimal or insufficient recognition to something. For example, "The politician "barely even acknowledged" the concerns of the protesters."

What phrases are similar to "barely even acknowledge"?

Similar phrases include "scarcely recognize", "hardly take notice of", and "almost ignore". These alternatives can add variety to your writing.

Is "barely even acknowledge" appropriate for formal writing?

While "barely even acknowledge" is generally acceptable, for formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "give minimal recognition to" or "superficially recognize" for added clarity and sophistication.

What's the difference between "barely even acknowledge" and "ignore"?

"Barely even acknowledge" implies a minimal level of recognition, whereas "ignore" suggests a complete lack of attention. For instance, "He "barely even acknowledged" my presence" suggests he noticed me slightly, while "He ignored me" means he gave me no attention at all.