barely living

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely living" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of existence that is minimal or struggling, often in a physical, emotional, or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the accident, he felt like he was barely living, going through the motions without any real joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"We are barely living".

The New York Times

"We're barely living".

The New York Times

The super-rich, however, are so cut off that they are barely living here at all.

The Guardian

Of course -- even if he is (barely) living proof that cool doesn't always age well.

The New York Times - Books

The super-rich, however, are so cut off that they are barely living here at all.

The Guardian

He seemed unfocussed, thick-tongued, a (barely) living evocation of the last days of Brezhnev and Andropov.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some would say he barely lives as a Muslim.

The New York Times

"I could barely live with the book," she said.

The New Yorker

The reality is that they have barely lived.

The Guardian - Opinion

How can one impart life lessons from a life he has barely lived?

The New York Times - Books

I can barely live without my phone and internet access now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely living" to convey a sense of struggle and hardship, emphasizing the minimal quality of life. This phrase is more impactful than simply stating someone is "poor" or "struggling".

Common error

Avoid using "barely living" in situations where the hardship is exaggerated or doesn't genuinely reflect a minimal existence. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and come across as insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely living" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the state of the verb "to live". It indicates a diminished or insufficient quality of life. As Ludwig AI points out, it's correctly used to describe struggling existences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely living" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to depict a state of minimal existence and hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing challenging circumstances where individuals struggle to meet their basic needs. Its primary function is to evoke empathy and highlight the difficult conditions faced by those in such situations. While appropriate for neutral registers, overuse in melodramatic contexts should be avoided to maintain its impact. Related phrases like "merely surviving" or "just getting by" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slightly different nuances. The phrase is often found in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post, typically within news and media reporting on social and economic issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely surviving

A very similar phrase, emphasizing the lack of comfort or security.

merely surviving

Emphasizes survival over thriving, suggesting a minimal level of existence.

just getting by

Focuses on managing to meet basic needs without much comfort or security.

scraping a living

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in earning enough to survive.

eking out an existence

Implies making something last a long time under difficult circumstances.

on the breadline

Refers to living in poverty, close to the minimum income required to survive.

hand to mouth existence

Describes a situation where one's income is only sufficient to cover immediate expenses.

a marginal existence

Suggests living on the fringes of society or economic stability.

subsisting

A more formal term for maintaining life at a minimal level.

living on the edge

Implies a precarious state, with little room for error or unexpected expenses.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely living" to describe a situation where someone is struggling to survive, often due to poverty or difficult circumstances. For example, "Refugees are "barely living" in the overcrowded camps".

What are some alternatives to "barely living"?

Alternatives include "merely surviving", "just getting by", or "scraping a living". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "barely living"?

Yes, "barely living" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. It accurately conveys the idea of existing with minimal resources or in difficult conditions.

What's the difference between "barely living" and "surviving"?

"Surviving" implies simply staying alive, while "barely living" suggests a significantly reduced quality of life and a constant struggle for basic necessities. "Barely living" emphasizes the hardship and lack of comfort more strongly than just "surviving".