barely speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is only able to speak a little or is not speaking fluently. Example: "After the long flight, I was so tired that I was barely speaking to anyone at the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Books

Relationships

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hicks and Gillett barely speaking.

The Guardian - Sport

We were there for an hour, barely speaking.

The New Yorker

Three years later, the twins are broken and barely speaking.

The Guardian

My problem: It is tax season, so my husband and I are barely speaking.

The New York Times

Today, Mr. Chourasia is very soft-spoken, often barely speaking above a whisper.

The New York Times

When Robinson retired after the 1956 season, the two men were barely speaking.

The New York Times - Books

Her stepdaughters are barely speaking to her and blame her for the death of the cat.

The Guardian - Books

After Mr. Newsted left, the band members were barely speaking to each other.

The New York Times

Cécile was barely speaking when her parents met the then struggling artist Ernst in 1921.

The Guardian - Arts

My sister-in-law and brother were barely speaking to me.

The New Yorker

The performing artists and the visual artists are barely speaking to one another.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely speaking" to depict situations where verbal communication is significantly reduced, either due to emotional distress, strained relationships, or physical limitations. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the limited speech.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "barely speaking" is necessarily unfriendly or uncooperative. Consider other possible reasons, such as shyness, medical conditions, or language barriers, before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely speaking" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often modifying a subject to indicate a significant reduction in verbal communication. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its role in depicting strained relationships, emotional states, or physical limitations. The phrase serves to qualify the degree of interaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely speaking" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe significantly reduced verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, academic texts, and personal narratives. The phrase typically conveys tension, strained relationships, or limitations in communication ability. While "barely speaking" is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to consider the underlying reasons for the limited speech to avoid misinterpretations. Effective alternatives include phrases like "hardly uttering a word" or "not on speaking terms", which offer nuanced ways to express a similar lack of interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking very little

Directly indicates a reduced amount of verbal communication.

saying next to nothing

Highlights the lack of significant verbal contribution.

not on speaking terms

Emphasizes a strained relationship leading to avoidance of conversation.

hardly uttering a word

Focuses on the complete lack of verbal communication.

remaining mostly silent

Highlights the choice to stay quiet rather than engage in conversation.

scarcely exchanging words

Highlights the minimal interaction through speech.

communicating minimally

Focuses on the reduced level of overall communication, not just speech.

almost mute

Suggests a near-silent state, either by choice or circumstance.

virtually non-communicative

Emphasizes an almost complete absence of communication.

keeping to themselves

Indicates a withdrawal from social interaction, including conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely speaking" to describe situations where communication is minimal, for example: "After their argument, they were "barely speaking" to each other."

What phrases are similar to "barely speaking"?

Alternatives include "hardly uttering a word", "not on speaking terms", or "speaking very little", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hardly speaking" instead of "barely speaking"?

Yes, "hardly speaking" is a suitable alternative to "barely speaking". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of minimal or reduced verbal communication.

What's the difference between "barely speaking" and "not speaking"?

"Barely speaking" implies some minimal level of communication, while "not speaking" suggests a complete absence of verbal interaction. "Barely speaking" suggests a strained situation, while "not speaking" could be due to other various reasons.