barely started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has just begun or is in its initial stages, often implying that there is still a long way to go. Example: "The project has barely started, so we have plenty of time to make adjustments before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

LIB: We've barely started.

The New York Times

And I've barely started.

The New Yorker

But reconstruction has barely started.

The New York Times

We've barely started with CO2.

Independent

You've barely started.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's barely started".

The New York Times - Health

In England it has barely started.

The Economist

To me, they've barely started.

The Guardian - Books

In the US, it had barely started.

The Guardian - Film

Building the state has barely started.

The New York Times

Relief has barely started getting through.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "barely started" with a time frame or context to provide a clearer picture of the situation. For example, "The project has barely started despite having been approved months ago."

Common error

Avoid using "barely started" when the activity or project has actually made considerable progress. This can mislead your audience and undermine the actual achievements. Ensure your assessment aligns with the reality of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely started" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the extent to which an action has progressed. Ludwig AI helps confirm this through numerous examples where the phrase modifies verbs, highlighting the initial phase of an event or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely started" is a versatile phrase used to denote the initial stages of an action or process, with an emphasis on the limited progress achieved. Ludwig AI analysis, based on numerous examples from reputable sources, confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its primary function is to highlight the early phase of an event, setting expectations accordingly. As Ludwig has demonstrated, the phrase finds frequent application across diverse contexts, most notably in News & Media. Remember to use it accurately and avoid overstating the progress of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just begun

Emphasizes the recency of the beginning, focusing on the short amount of time that has passed.

just getting underway

Highlights the initiation of a process or activity, suggesting that momentum is building but not yet significant.

in its infancy

Draws a parallel to early stages of life, emphasizing the immaturity and potential for growth.

scarcely off the ground

Indicates minimal progress, with the imagery of something struggling to become established or successful.

hardly initiated

Focuses on the lack of significant action or progress since the beginning.

just a nascent stage

Implies the early and undeveloped nature of something, emphasizing potential rather than current achievement.

newly established

Highlights the fresh establishment of an organization or activity.

at the preliminary stage

Specifies that the current phase is one of preparation or initial assessment.

at the starting point

Stresses that something is at its absolute earliest phase, with no progress yet made.

still in the initial phase

Points out that the progress is minimal because something is in its initial period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "barely started" in a sentence?

You can substitute "barely started" with phrases like "only just begun", "just getting underway", or "in its infancy" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it imply when something has "barely started"?

When something has "barely started", it implies that it is in its very early stages, with limited progress made so far. This suggests that there is still much work to be done and the outcome is uncertain.

Is "barely started" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "barely started" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a common phrase that is easily understood in various contexts.

Which is more appropriate: "barely started" or "just started"?

Both "barely started" and "just started" indicate something has recently commenced. However, "barely started" emphasizes the minimal progress made, whereas "just started" simply notes the recent beginning. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the lack of progress.