barely matches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely matches" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is only slightly or minimally in agreement or alignment with something else. Example: "The colors of the paint barely match the original design, making it difficult to achieve the desired look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It says growth has been more like 3.1%, which barely matches the population increase.

The Economist

The World Bank predicts that Africa's median economic growth rate this year will be down to 3.8%, which barely matches the rate at which its population is growing, and is far below last year's 4.5%.Only a few months ago, Africa's problems seemed to be diminishing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

AT LESS than 8,000MW, Peru's total electricity-generation capacity is modest, barely matching four modern nuclear power stations.

The Economist

At just over £2 million it barely matched the low estimate and will be remembered in the future as one of the great coups of the year 2010.

The New York Times - Arts

Lichtenstein's 1972 Pop take on a traditional old master still life sold for $3.5 million, or $4 million with fees, just barely matching the estimate of $4 million to $6 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile Eddie Johnson has been playing for the Sounders while looking barely match-fit, and the absence of Mauro Rosales has left Seattle lacking creativity.

The Guardian - Sport

In total, the annual raises come to eighteen per cent over ten years, which means they will barely match overall consumer price inflation, and surely won't match the rise in the cost of living in New York.

The New Yorker

Endowments maturing today have, in many cases, barely matched inflation over the past 25 years, and fallen well short of the money savers would have made if the cash was put, instead, into a low-cost "tracker" matching the gains on the FTSE.

The Guardian - Money

Living in neighborhoods where a disproportionate number of crimes are committed, the poor and members of minority groups are more likely to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be picked up as suspects even if they barely match the description of a suspected criminal.

The New York Times

That would barely match the rate of population growth, but if those figures are right Nigeria will be doing better than most and should avoid the acute pain of previous commodity-price busts, as in the 1980s, when the government could not pay civil servants and political instability ensued.Nigeria is also in better shape to deal with a slowdown because of some decent macro-economic reforms.

The Economist

Laboratory rodents are barely matching today's clinical standards in RT research.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely matches", ensure the context clearly indicates what two elements are being compared and the specific aspect in which they are almost, but not quite, equal or aligned. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "barely matches" when a stronger term like "equals" or "exceeds" is more appropriate. "Barely matches" implies a near miss, not a full correspondence. Using it incorrectly can misrepresent the relationship between the subjects being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely matches" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that one thing nearly, but doesn't quite, equal or align with another. It introduces a sense of near-equivalence or minimal correspondence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely matches" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to denote near equivalence or minimal alignment between two elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds suitable application in contexts where precision is valued, such as news reporting, scientific discourse, and business communications. When incorporating "barely matches" into your writing, be mindful of the subtle distinction it draws—a near-miss rather than a complete correspondence—and select it judiciously to ensure accurate portrayal. Consider alternatives like "scarcely aligns" or "hardly corresponds" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely aligns

Emphasizes the lack of proper alignment; slightly more formal.

hardly corresponds

Focuses on the weak connection or correspondence between two things.

just about equals

Highlights that the two things are nearly equivalent, albeit weakly.

marginally fits

Implies a fit, but only to a small degree.

nearly equates

Indicates a close but incomplete equivalence.

approaches but doesn't reach

Explicitly states that a target value is close but unachieved.

almost corresponds

Similar to 'hardly corresponds', but highlights that the correspondence is close to being complete but not fully achieved.

barely equates to

Focuses on the weak equivalence in terms of numerical or quantitative value.

faintly mirrors

Focuses on the weak equivalence in terms of representation.

slightly corresponds

Emphasizes a weak correspondence but highlights that the correspondence exists.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely matches" to describe a situation where two things are nearly equal or aligned, but not quite. For example, "The company's profits barely matches its expenses this quarter".

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

More formal alternatives include "scarcely aligns" or "hardly corresponds", which provide a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

When is it appropriate to use "barely matches" instead of "equals"?

"Barely matches" is appropriate when something almost reaches a certain level or quantity but doesn't quite achieve it. Use "equals" when the two things are precisely the same. Example: "His salary barely matches the cost of living" versus "Two plus two equals four".

What does it mean when something "barely matches" something else?

It means the two things are close to being equal or aligned, but there's a slight difference or shortfall. It implies the comparison is just at the lower threshold of being considered a match.