barely happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely happens" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase typically implies that something almost, but not quite, happened or occurs. For example, you could say, "We barely had enough time to finish the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In any case, the notion of "altruistic" surrogacy – apart from being a red herring, since it barely happens in reality – has a very strange ideological underpinning.

The Guardian - Opinion

It doesn't help that the one confrontation we want -- Natalie or someone confronting Ingrid once and for all -- barely happens and then is covered up with all-is-forgiven hugs at the end.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The inventory buildup barely happened.

The New York Times

It's barely happened in this campaign cycle.

The New York Times

The fact that this kind of discussion is barely happening breaks my heart, just as it breaks my heart that we can't make a lousy turkey burger safe.

The New York Times

What it left behind was an impressive array of artists, a version of "alternative" that seems less tenable by the month, and Mr. Rose's atmospheric time capsule of a book, which tells an exciting art-world story, of a kind that should be happening in one form or another in New York all the time, and is barely happening at all.

The New York Times

What is also clear is that the loss of older teenagers – such as the six Doha pupils on the brink of adulthood – has affected younger siblings and parents, compounding a deepening sense of fatalism and hopelessness in a Gaza where the promised reconstruction has barely happened and whose outlook, Palestinians say, seems bleaker than at any time in recent memory.

The Guardian

1.37am BST Kings 0-0 Rangers, 8 59, first period Now Pearson with a shot from above the far circle, but it's right into the safe pads of Henrik Lundvist as he holds on and stops play, something that has barely happened in the first period.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the best thing that has barely happened to me.

Vice

For all the world, it looks like it's barely happened at all.

Vice

It seems like Thanksgiving barely happened and we were already getting jammed with Christmas music, commercials, ads, everything.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely happens" to convey that something occurs infrequently or with minimal impact. Ensure the context makes it clear that the event's occurrence is marginal or uncommon.

Common error

Avoid using "barely happens" when you mean something never happens. The phrase implies it occurs, but very rarely or insignificantly. For complete absence, use "never happens" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely happens" functions as an adverbial modifier suggesting low frequency or minimal occurrence. It indicates that an event or action occurs infrequently or with minimal impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Opinion

30%

Sport

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely happens" is a grammatically correct and accepted way to express that something occurs infrequently or with minimal impact. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its use in various contexts, including news and opinion pieces. It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that it aligns with the intended meaning of infrequency rather than complete absence. Alternatives like "scarcely occurs" or "hardly ever happens" can provide similar emphasis. While relatively uncommon, the phrase is appropriate for neutral writing and serves to downplay the frequency or significance of a particular event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely comes about

Similar to the original, focusing on the narrow margin of occurrence.

scarcely occurs

Emphasizes the rarity of the event's occurrence.

hardly ever happens

Highlights the infrequency of the event.

almost never happens

Emphasizes the near absence of the event occurring.

rarely takes place

Focuses on the uncommon nature of the event occurring.

seldom comes to pass

Indicates the event is not a common occurrence.

only just occurs

Stresses the minimal extent of the event's occurrence.

infrequently occurs

Highlights the low frequency of the occurrence.

infrequently transpires

A more formal way to express the rarity of an event's occurrence.

scarcely transpires

Similar to 'scarcely occurs' but with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely happens" to indicate that something almost doesn't occur, or happens very infrequently. For example, "Altruistic surrogacy "barely happens" in reality".

What does "barely happens" mean?

"Barely happens" means that something occurs infrequently or only just manages to occur. It emphasizes the rarity or minimal extent of the event.

What are some alternatives to "barely happens"?

Some alternatives to "barely happens" include "scarcely occurs", "hardly ever happens", or "rarely takes place".

Is it correct to say "barely happens"?

Yes, "barely happens" is a correct and understandable phrase in English. It's used to describe something that almost doesn't occur or occurs very infrequently, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.