barely exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is present to a very small degree or is almost non-existent. Example: "In this remote area, wildlife barely exists due to the harsh climate and lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Government services barely exist.

The New York Times

Pension funds barely exist.

The Economist

They barely exist.

The Guardian

School programmes barely exist.

The Guardian

You barely exist".

The Guardian - Music

Trees barely exist.

The New York Times - Travel

They barely exist now.

The Guardian - Film

Roads, schools and medical clinics barely exist.

The New York Times - Magazine

But record stores barely exist any more.

The Guardian - Music

Cost controls are inadequate; in fact, they barely exist.

University of California, Berkeley

Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Exxon-Mobil barely exist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual decline, use "barely exist" to emphasize the near-complete absence of something after a period of reduction. For example: "After years of deforestation, the native forests "barely exist"."

Common error

While "barely exist" is generally acceptable, avoid using it when a more precise term would enhance clarity. For example, instead of saying "Data on this phenomenon "barely exist"", consider specifying the level of data availability: "Data is scarce", "Data is preliminary", or "Data is non-existent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely exist" functions as a verb phrase that describes a state of near-nonexistence. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's presence is minimal or almost absent, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely exist" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating that something is present to a minimal degree or is close to non-existence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Academia. Alternatives such as "hardly exist" or "scarcely exist" offer subtle variations in emphasis. When employing this phrase, consider the context to ensure that it accurately conveys the intended meaning, and avoid overuse in situations where more specific language would enhance clarity. Remember that "barely exist" implies a minimal presence, contrasting with "no longer exist", which indicates complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly exist

This alternative directly replaces "barely" with "hardly", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity. The difference lies in the nuance of emphasis, with "hardly" perhaps suggesting a slightly stronger sense of near-absence.

scarcely exist

Using "scarcely" instead of "barely" emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of existence. It conveys a sense of something being present but only in very small quantities or instances.

virtually vanish

This alternative shifts the focus to the process of disappearing, implying a near-complete absence. It adds a dynamic element, suggesting something is on the verge of ceasing to exist.

nearly disappear

Similar to "virtually vanish", this phrase suggests an ongoing process toward non-existence, highlighting the imminence of complete disappearance.

are almost nonexistent

This option uses a more descriptive approach, explicitly stating that something is close to not existing. It's a slightly more formal and emphatic way of conveying the same idea.

are few and far between

This idiomatic expression indicates that something is rare and sparsely distributed. It conveys a sense of scarcity and isolation.

are practically absent

Using "practically absent" emphasizes the functional absence of something, even if it might technically be present in some minimal form. It highlights the lack of practical impact or influence.

are on the verge of extinction

This dramatic phrase suggests that something is nearing complete annihilation or disappearance, often used in the context of endangered species or cultural practices.

are dwindling rapidly

This phrase describes a fast reduction in number of something that is disappearing, focusing on a rapid decline toward non-existence.

are becoming obsolete

This alternative focuses on relevance and usefulness, suggesting that something is losing its purpose and fading into irrelevance.

FAQs

What does "barely exist" mean?

The phrase "barely exist" means to have a minimal or almost nonexistent presence. It indicates something is present to a very small degree or is on the verge of disappearing entirely.

What can I say instead of "barely exist"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly exist", "scarcely exist", or "virtually vanish" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "barely exist"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "barely exist". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

How does "barely exist" differ from "no longer exist"?

"Barely exist" implies a minimal presence, while "no longer exist" indicates complete absence. For example, "Traditional phone booths "barely exist" in cities" suggests a few remain, but "Dinosaurs "no longer exist"" means they are entirely gone.