barely existent

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely existent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that barely exists or is almost non-existent. For example, "The resources allocated to the project were barely existent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Early on my wife would criticize me because my women characters were barely existent.

The New York Times - Magazine

I pointed out to her that the male characters were barely existent, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

The plot is barely existent; the movie is full of manufactured tricks.

The New Yorker

Mr. Maher arrived with his date in a barely existent aqua and black lace dress.

The New York Times

Whether your method of celebration is religious, secular or barely existent, you can wriggle your toes in the soft slipper of a national holiday.

The Guardian

The band split in its wake, only reuniting because they were offered a European tour, with Dando – whose relationship with co-founder Ben Deily was barely existent – switching to drums.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

By contrast, All Things Go consists of deep thoughts over barely-existent synth wisps delivered in clipped, serious-faced tones.

The Guardian - Music

Barely existing.

The New York Times - Books

In previous business cycles the downturn in prices was barely noticeable or non-existent.

Forbes

Whatever is non-existent remains non-existent for ever and whatever is existent always exists.

SEP

Among the game's administrators black professionals are almost non-existent; and things are barely any better at the managerial and coaching level.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely existent" to accurately portray a situation where something's presence is minimal and almost negligible. It's effective in highlighting the lack of something without stating its complete absence.

Common error

Avoid using "barely existent" when something is entirely absent. The phrase implies a small degree of presence, so ensure that the situation reflects this nuance. Using "non-existent" is more appropriate when something is completely absent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely existent" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a minimal level of existence or presence. It highlights that something is present but in such a small or insignificant way that it's almost non-existent. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely existent" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that has a minimal presence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, remember that it implies some level of existence, however small. Alternatives include "almost non-existent" and "scarcely present". This phrase is versatile and effective for conveying a sense of near absence without stating outright non-existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost non-existent

Emphasizes the near absence of something, slightly stronger than "barely existent".

scarcely present

Highlights the limited presence of something, focusing on its scarcity.

virtually absent

Indicates something is so minimal it's as good as not being there.

hardly detectable

Focuses on the difficulty of noticing or perceiving something.

faintly perceptible

Suggests something can just be sensed or noticed.

minimally viable

Describes something that barely meets the requirements to function or exist.

tenuous existence

Highlights the fragile or precarious nature of something's existence.

negligible quantity

Focuses on the small amount or size of something.

token presence

Suggests a symbolic or minimal representation of something.

in a rudimentary state

Emphasizes the underdeveloped or basic condition of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely existent" to describe something that has a minimal presence or is almost non-existent. For example, "The funding for the arts program was "barely existent", making it difficult to continue operating".

What are some alternatives to "barely existent"?

Some alternatives include "almost non-existent", "scarcely present", or "virtually absent", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "barely existent" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase. It is more suitable in situations where a non-complete lack or absence needs to be expressed.

What's the difference between "barely existent" and "non-existent"?

"Barely existent" implies that something exists to a very small degree, whereas "non-existent" means that something does not exist at all. The nuance of ""barely existent"" is that there is something, but it is negligible.