barely left

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely left" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has only just departed or there is only a small amount of time or distance before the departure. Example: "She had barely left the house when she realized she had forgotten her keys." In this sentence, "barely left" emphasizes that the person had just left the house before realizing their mistake. Another example: "The train was about to depart, and I could see my friend barely left enough time to make it on board." In this sentence, "barely left" indicates that the friend is running out of time to catch the train.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Kaepernick had barely left the floor.

The New York Times - Sports

In eighteen years, he barely left the property.

The New Yorker

She has barely left the village since then.

The New York Times

Unconcerned about catching it, she barely left my side.

The New York Times

For one two-month period, he barely left the house.

The New York Times - Magazine

They barely left the house, he said, and he thought the block had forgotten about them.

The New York Times

Don't tell Sid, but the privatisation train has barely left the station.

Independent

Ms. Bredan, finally wearing scrubs and treating patients, has barely left the hospital since.

The New York Times

One had barely left the depot by the 6 30 deadline.

The New York Times

I have barely left my home since my daughter was born".

The Guardian

Mrs. Pitonzo had barely left the house in years and required constant care from her husband.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely left" to emphasize how little time has passed since someone or something departed, or to highlight a minimal impact or change following a departure.

Common error

Avoid using "barely left" when you intend to describe a situation where something was left in poor condition. "Barely left" implies a minimal departure, not a state of disrepair. For instance, saying "The project was barely left complete" is incorrect; instead, use "The project was poorly completed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely left" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the extent or degree to which an action (leaving) occurred. It modifies the verb to express that the action was recent, minimal, or incomplete, as confirmed by Ludwig and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely left" is a versatile phrase used to convey the idea of a recent or incomplete departure. It functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the minimal extent to which someone or something has left. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English, predominantly in news and media contexts. Remember to use "barely left" to highlight recency or minimal impact, and avoid confusing it with descriptions of poor condition. Consider alternatives like "hardly departed" for a more formal tone, and be mindful of its precise meaning to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly departed

Synonymous; replaces "left" with "departed" for a more formal tone.

scarcely exited

Replaces "left" with "exited", suggesting a physical departure with emphasis on how little they did it.

just departed

Emphasizes the recency of the departure.

only just gone

Rephrases to emphasize minimal time elapsed since leaving.

barely exited

Uses "exited" instead of "left", indicating a physical exit with similar meaning.

virtually untouched

Shifts the focus to the lack of impact or change caused by leaving.

minimally affected

Changes the focus to the slight influence or effect from leaving.

negligibly impacted

Highlights the minimal consequence of someone or something leaving.

almost remained

Presents the situation from the opposite perspective, emphasizing near-staying.

narrowly avoided leaving

Focuses on the avoidance of leaving, rather than the act itself.

FAQs

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

"Barely left" is used to indicate that someone or something has only just departed or that there is very little remaining. Example: "She had "barely left" the house when the phone rang."

What's a more formal alternative to "barely left"?

A more formal alternative to "barely left" is "hardly departed". This conveys a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is "barely left" the same as "almost stayed"?

No, "barely left" and "almost stayed" have opposite meanings. "Barely left" indicates a departure, while "almost stayed" suggests a near decision to remain.

What does it mean when something has "barely left a mark"?

When something has "barely left a mark", it means it had a very small or negligible impact. You can also say it "negligibly impacted" something.