barely running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is functioning with difficulty or at a minimal level of performance. Example: "The old car is barely running, and I think it might be time to consider a new one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But then they were barely running at the start.

The New York Times

Djokovic was barely running after shots, wearing a look of disgust, and he even threw his racket at his chair after one lackluster game.

The New York Times - Sports

" 'Holland should be here already.' " Tracy, who wears braces on his legs and his back and walks with difficulty, made his way to the course and found Reynolds, half a mile out, barely running and weaving across the course.

The New York Times - Sports

"Taking a season off -- or barely running at all -- prevents most runners from progressing".

Huffington Post

These toilets are shit-splattered holes in the ground with barely running water, nothing like those spotless tile johns in Full Metal Jacket.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rusted pipes mean that toilets barely run, linoleum floors are worn to the bare concrete, and broken windows let rain and snow into stairwells.

The New York Times

I can barely run".

The Guardian

Others could barely run through lack of food.

The Guardian - Sport

Christmas Day was a write-off and come Boxing Day I could barely run.

Independent

At that point, Boras said, Beltran discovered he "could barely run on a treadmill without pain".

The New York Times - Sports

It might have something to do with the weather, he said, but the sap barely ran.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely running" to describe systems, people, or processes that are still operational but at a minimal or near-failure state. For example, "The project is barely running on its allocated budget."

Common error

Avoid using "barely running" when describing something that has completely stopped or failed. "Barely running" implies some level of operation, however minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely running" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the manner in which something is operating or functioning. It indicates that the action of running, or the state of being operational, is happening at a minimal level. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely running" describes something functioning at a minimal level. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, implying precariousness or instability. Related phrases, such as "hardly running" or "just running", offer slight variations in emphasis. Use "barely running" to describe states near failure but still operational, while avoiding its use for completely non-functional entities. Overall, it’s a succinct way to communicate marginal operation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly running

Emphasizes the scarcity or infrequency of running.

just running

Indicates a state of only running, without additional actions or complexities.

only running

Highlights that running is the sole activity, possibly in a limited way.

barely functioning

Shifts focus from running to overall functionality, implying a struggle to operate.

merely running

Conveys that running is a basic or simple action, without significant effort or outcome.

poorly running

Indicates a substandard or deficient performance of running.

roughly running

Suggests an approximate or imperfect quality of running.

marginally running

Denotes running by a small margin or to a limited extent.

narrowly running

Implies running within tight constraints or limitations.

barely walking

Substitutes running with walking, implying a very low level of physical activity.

FAQs

What does "barely running" mean?

The phrase "barely running" indicates that something is functioning at a minimal level, close to failing or stopping altogether. It suggests a state of reduced capacity or performance.

What can I say instead of "barely running"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly running", "just running", or "struggling to operate" depending on the context.

How to use "barely running" in a sentence?

For example: "The old engine was "barely running", sputtering and coughing with every revolution." It describes the engine's poor operational state.

Is "barely running" formal or informal?

The phrase "barely running" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in news and media reports.