barely moved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely moved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has made only a small or insignificant movement. Example: "The statue was so heavy that it barely moved when the workers tried to shift it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Virginia also barely moved.

The New York Times

Tech stock shares barely moved.

The New York Times

The interagency gears barely moved.

The New Yorker

The lions barely moved.

The New York Times

Her lips barely moved.

The New Yorker

That has barely moved for weeks.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

She could barely move".

The New Yorker

It's barely moving.

Independent

We were barely moving.

The New York Times - Magazine

Traffic barely moving.

The New Yorker

"I could barely move.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely moved" when you want to emphasize that something has changed position or condition to a very small degree. It's effective for describing situations where a change was expected but did not significantly materialize.

Common error

While "barely moved" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less professional. Opt for more precise synonyms like "negligibly changed" or "remained nearly constant" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely moved" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state of minimal change or movement. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, such as describing market fluctuations or physical positions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely moved" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe minimal change or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and frequent use across varied contexts, predominantly in news and media. While suitable for neutral and informal settings, users should consider more precise synonyms in highly formal writing. The phrase effectively communicates a lack of significant alteration, emphasizing stability or downplaying perceived change. Examples show its application to subjects ranging from stock prices to physical positions, making it a versatile tool for conveying nuanced information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely budged

Emphasizes the lack of any significant movement or change.

hardly shifted

Focuses on the absence of any noticeable shift or displacement.

remained stagnant

Highlights the lack of progress or development, implying a state of inactivity.

changed minimally

Directly states that the change was very small or insignificant.

saw little alteration

Emphasizes the absence of substantial alteration or modification.

almost imperceptible change

Highlights that the variation is so small that it can hardly be perceived.

little to no movement

Underscores the almost complete absence of any movement.

practically unmoved

Implies that there was such a small amount of movement that it can be disregarded.

nearly stationary

Stresses the absence of movement, likening the subject to a fixed position.

minimally displaced

Focuses on the very small amount of displacement, suggesting that the change in position was negligible.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely moved" to describe situations where something has changed position or condition by a very small amount. For example, "The needle on the gauge "barely moved", indicating minimal change in pressure."

What are some synonyms for "barely moved"?

Alternatives to "barely moved" include "scarcely budged", "hardly shifted", or "remained stagnant" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "slightly moved" instead of "barely moved"?

While "slightly moved" is grammatically correct, it implies a more noticeable change than "barely moved". "Barely moved" suggests an almost imperceptible change, while "slightly moved" indicates a small but detectable shift.

What is the difference between "barely moved" and "hardly moved"?

"Barely moved" and "hardly moved" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both phrases indicate that something has moved very little, but "barely moved" might suggest an even smaller degree of movement than "hardly moved".