barely subsisting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely subsisting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is just managing to survive or exist, often in difficult circumstances. Example: "After losing his job, he was barely subsisting on the little savings he had left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Most of the population is engaged in subsistence farming, but barely subsisting.

The Economist

Instead of a model farm, there were a few slaves who were barely subsisting.

The New Yorker

The waters swirl most strongly around Juno Boyle, the matriarch of a small family barely subsisting in the strife-torn Dublin of the 1920s.

The New York Times

Under blockade since 2007, bombarded in a three-week-long assault that is called a war, its people have been barely subsisting since – "put on a diet", according to Israeli government adviser Dov Weisglass.

The Guardian - Opinion

But little more than a decade since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with a vast majority of Russians barely subsisting, conspicuous consumption in the form of $1,500-a-plate dinners has its critics here.

The New York Times - Style

This makes for a romantic ending to his chapter, but by the time the novel turns to his daughter, Abena, James has become an old man, barely subsisting on a meagre plot of land where, "season after season, the earth spit up rotted plants or sometimes nothing at all".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Enough Ugandans seem to like Mr Museveni's plans to revamp the economy while seeking to bolster farmers, two-thirds of whom still barely subsist.

The Economist

The human race barely subsists in this condition, chance meetings between proto-humans are the occasions for copulation and reproduction, child-care is minimal and brief in duration.

SEP

On several occasions during the documentary, the three men are overwhelmed by what they see – from angry young people to amputees and the diamond diggers themselves, who barely subsist on meagre wages.

Unicef

They live in luxury while ordinary citizens barely subsist.

The New York Times

Like the Bolivian demonstrators, Mr. Chávez's core supporters barely subsist in the informal economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely subsisting" to describe the state of individuals, communities, or even ecosystems when they are existing on minimal resources.

Common error

Avoid using "barely subsisting" when the situation involves temporary financial constraints rather than a chronic lack of essential resources. The phrase indicates a state of continuous, marginal survival.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely subsisting" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of existing with minimal resources. As Ludwig AI suggests, this expression is correct and usable. The examples provided by Ludwig show it describing families, populations, and even ecosystems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely subsisting" describes a state of existence where survival is marginal due to a lack of resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts and carries a neutral tone, effectively conveying hardship and precarity. Related phrases include "just scraping by" and "eking out a living", offering nuanced alternatives. When using "barely subsisting", ensure it accurately reflects a chronic scarcity of resources rather than temporary hardship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely surviving

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of staying alive under difficult conditions.

struggling to survive

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in staying alive.

just managing to exist

Focuses on the minimal level of existence, without implying quality of life.

just scraping by

Emphasizes the marginal nature of survival, highlighting the struggle to obtain basic necessities.

living hand to mouth

Highlights the lack of savings and dependence on immediate income for survival.

eking out a living

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in earning a meager income or obtaining essential resources.

living a precarious existence

Focuses on the uncertainty and instability of their living conditions.

living on the breadline

Highlights living in poverty, very close to or below the poverty line.

barely making ends meet

Focuses on the financial aspect, emphasizing the challenge of covering expenses with limited income.

on the verge of starvation

Emphasizes the proximity to famine and the lack of adequate food.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely subsisting" to describe a state of living where someone is just managing to survive with minimal resources. For example: "The refugees were "barely subsisting" on donated food."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "barely subsisting"?

Alternatives include "just scraping by", "eking out a living", or "barely surviving". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to say that someone is "barely subsisting"?

Saying someone is "barely subsisting" means they are living at the very edge of survival, with just enough resources to stay alive. It suggests a difficult and precarious existence.

Is there a difference between "barely surviving" and "barely subsisting"?

While similar, "barely surviving" emphasizes the act of staying alive, while "barely subsisting" highlights the minimal level of resources available to support that survival. They are often interchangeable but "barely subsisting" has a slight nuance of focusing on the resources shortage more than just the act of surviving.