barely opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely opened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been opened only slightly or to a minimal extent. Example: "The box was barely opened, revealing just a glimpse of its contents inside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The jaw barely opened.

The New York Times - Health

Over here, parliament has barely opened a sleepy eyelid.

The Guardian - Opinion

She barely opened her mouth, her lips and jaw immovable.

The New York Times

But the French market has barely opened to outside competition: EDF still controls 86% of it.

The Economist

Explorations on foot, however heroic, had barely opened the north for scientific investigation.

The New York Times - Books

THE doors to Detroit's annual car show had barely opened to the public this week before the gloom set in.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I can barely open my mouth.

The New Yorker

I could barely open my eyes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I could barely open my mouth to eat or speak," she said.

The New York Times

Singaporean officials can barely open their mouths without mentioning "the knowledge society" and "lifelong learning".

The Economist

Some passengers, napping, barely opening their eyes, handed me a coin without thinking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely opened" to vividly describe a situation where something is only slightly ajar, adding nuance to your writing. For example: "The door to the old library was barely opened, hinting at the secrets hidden within."

Common error

Avoid using "barely opened" when the situation demands a complete or significant opening. Saying 'The investigation was barely opened' implies a lack of thoroughness, whereas 'The investigation was launched' conveys a more robust effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely opened" functions as a verbal phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe the state of being opened to a very small degree. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe physical objects (doors, eyes) and abstract concepts (markets, investigations).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Books

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely opened" is a versatile verbal phrase, generally grammatically correct and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a state of minimal opening, whether physically or metaphorically. While frequently found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. For more precision, consider alternatives such as "slightly opened" or "just ajar", depending on the context. It's crucial to avoid using "barely opened" when a more significant action is intended. Overall, its frequent occurrence across authoritative sources validates its utility in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly opened

Emphasizes the difficulty or infrequency of the opening action.

slightly opened

Focuses on the small extent to which something was opened.

just ajar

Describes a state where something is open only enough to break the seal.

partially opened

Indicates that the opening was not completed fully.

scarcely opened

Stresses the minimal degree to which something was opened.

narrowly opened

Highlights the small gap created by the opening.

almost closed

Focuses on the state of being close to closed rather than the action of opening.

just cracked

Implies a very small opening, often with a sense of fragility.

minutely opened

Emphasizes the extremely small scale of the opening.

faintly opened

Suggests a delicate and minimal opening.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely opened" to describe something that is only slightly open. For instance, "The flower was "barely opened", revealing a hint of its vibrant color inside."

What are some alternatives to "barely opened"?

Alternatives include "slightly opened", "partially opened", or "just ajar". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely opened" formal or informal?

"Barely opened" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The overall tone of your writing will determine its appropriateness.

What's the difference between "barely opened" and "slightly opened"?

While similar, "barely opened" suggests an even smaller degree of opening than "slightly opened". "Barely" emphasizes the minimal nature of the opening.