barely existing

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely existing" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is barely alive, barely functioning, barely noticeable, or only barely present in a situation. For example, "The small restaurant was barely existing, only surviving off the few regulars that stopped in each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Barely existing.

The New York Times - Books

What is this barely existing substance?

The New York Times

A security mission established to help East Timor's barely existing state and security institutions ended in 2005.

The New York Times

The first is the title piece, a song actually written about Drake and his talent for barely existing.

Independent

He didn't mind staying in when the polls showed him barely existing and the commentators mocked him or — worse yet — forgot him altogether.

The New York Times

Barely existing a year ago, the person-to-person online payment market has taken off in the last six months, catching the traditional banking world by surprise.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Selling now allows the company to more than double its cash cushion while barely diluting existing shareholders.

The New York Times

The island is barely described, existing to provide an isolated and insular society rather than a distinctive setting.

The Guardian - Books

And it would barely affect existing home-owners unless they have bought very recently and are in danger of negative equity.

Independent

It gets away, barely, with existing as both, the episodic parts all narrated by Nathan, a researcher charged with tracking songbirds for Indiana University.

The New York Times - Books

When laptops barely existed.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely existing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or minimal. For example, clarify if it refers to resources, functionality, or visibility.

Common error

Avoid using "barely existing" when something has completely ceased to exist. The phrase implies a minimal, though present, state. Use "non-existent" or "defunct" if something no longer exists at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely existing" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing its state as being on the verge of ceasing to exist. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where it modifies 'state', 'substance', 'government', etc.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely existing" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something in a state of minimal or precarious existence. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, most frequently in News & Media, but also in Science and Formal & Business writing. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies what aspect of existence is minimal and avoid using the phrase when something has completely ceased to exist. Alternative phrases like "barely subsisting" or "practically non-existent" can be employed for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely subsisting

Focuses on the act of maintaining life with minimal resources; emphasizes survival.

practically non-existent

Highlights the near absence of something, stressing its lack of presence.

only just existing

Emphasizes the marginal nature of existence, indicating a minimal state.

just about existing

Similar to 'only just existing', stressing minimal existence and function.

marginally present

Indicates a slight presence, focusing on the limited visibility or impact of something.

almost imperceptible

Stresses the difficulty in noticing or detecting something due to its minimal presence.

virtually absent

Similar to 'practically non-existent', focusing on the effective absence of something.

scarcely detectable

Highlights the difficulty in detecting the existence of something.

hardly viable

Focuses on the lack of sustainability or feasibility for continued existence.

tenuously surviving

Emphasizes the fragility and uncertainty of the existence, implying a struggle to continue.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely existing" to describe something that has minimal resources, functionality, or presence. For example, "The business was "barely existing" on the small amount of revenue it generated each month".

What phrases are similar to "barely existing"?

Similar phrases include "barely subsisting", "practically non-existent", and "marginally present". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "barely existing" can be used in formal writing, as evidenced by its appearance in publications like The New York Times and The Economist. However, always ensure the tone matches the context.

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

"Barely existing" implies that something still exists, but only just, whereas "non-existent" means it does not exist at all. For example, a plant can be "barely existing" without water but will become non-existent if left without water for too long.