barely possible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely possible to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or action that is only just achievable or feasible, often implying difficulty or limitation. Example: "It is barely possible to complete the project on time given the current resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It's barely possible to overstate the significance of this Bible.

The New York Times

In fact, it is barely possible to convince people that you are going there at all.

The New York Times

"It's just barely possible to do it," he said of space flight.

The New York Times

It is barely possible to read this book and not feel the awakening of appetite.

The New York Times - Books

Currently, it is barely possible to detect new drugs at the rate they appear.

The Guardian

Even with everyone working at full speed it will be barely possible to meet the January 9th deadline.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It is barely possible, however, to make Mr. Joisel's handsome rat, instructions for which can be found at http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/arts/JoiselRat.pdf.

The New York Times - Arts

In Rochester, William of Dene wrote that nobody could be found to bury the dead, "but men and women carried the bodies of their own little ones to church on their shoulders and threw them into mass graves from which arose such a stink that it was barely possible for anyone to go past a churchyard".

The Guardian

Fair enough, but the task felt barely possible — I've come to think of Westbrook's manner of dress as inextricable, on some level, from the way he acquits himself on the court.

The New Yorker

In 1986, it was barely possible for American architects to think in 19th-century terms of a grand historical mainstream, late modern or postmodern, as the case might be.

The New York Times - Arts

While the vision of thriving Israeli and Palestinian states has slipped from the plausible to the barely possible, one mixed state emerging from prolonged and violent struggles over democratic rights is no longer inconceivable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely possible to" to highlight a situation where success is achieved by a narrow margin.

Common error

Avoid using "barely possible to" when the action is clearly impossible. The phrase implies a slim chance of success, not absolute impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely possible to" functions as a modal phrase used to express a qualified possibility. It suggests that an action or outcome is achievable, but only with significant effort, difficulty, or under specific conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely possible to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal phrase that expresses a qualified possibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is achievable, but only with difficulty or under specific constraints. This phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "barely possible to", it's crucial to ensure that the context reflects the presence of significant challenges and to avoid overstating the impossibility of the action. Alternatives like "almost impossible to" or "hardly possible to" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost impossible to

Emphasizes the high degree of difficulty, nearing impossibility.

hardly possible to

Indicates a slim chance of being able to.

scarcely possible to

Highlights the minimal possibility of something happening.

just barely able to

Focuses on the narrow margin of ability.

unlikely to be able to

Suggests a low probability of achieving something.

difficult to

Indicates the presence of challenges and obstacles.

only just feasible to

Stresses the marginal feasibility of an action.

conceivably able to

Acknowledges a remote chance or possibility.

theoretically possible to

Highlights possibility in principle but not necessarily in practice.

might be able to

Suggests an uncertain ability, contingent on circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "barely possible to" in a sentence?

Use "barely possible to" to describe a situation that is achievable but with great difficulty or limitation. For example, "It is barely possible to complete the project on time given the current resources."

What can I say instead of "barely possible to"?

You can use alternatives like "almost impossible to", "hardly possible to", or "scarcely possible to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "barely possible to" or "hardly possible to"?

Both "barely possible to" and "hardly possible to" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to express.

What's the difference between "barely possible to" and "theoretically possible to"?

"Barely possible to" implies that something is achievable with difficulty, while "theoretically possible to" means it's possible in principle but not necessarily in practice.