barely surpassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely surpassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something just exceeds a certain threshold or standard, often implying that the margin is very small. Example: "The athlete finished the race in a time of 10.01 seconds, barely surpassing the previous record of 10.02 seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He won just 25.58 percent of the vote, barely surpassing the 25percentt minimum needed to avoid a runoff.

The New York Times

Even evangelical Christian churches had only a slim majority in favor, 52percentt, barely surpassing the Mormon churches, which drew the support of 51percentt.

The New York Times

Overall, Mexican infrastructure quantity is behind most regional leader's, barely surpassing that of India's.

Journal of Economic Structures

Atlanta saw a shocking 1,230 attendees, just barely surpassing our biggest meetup to date, NYC.

TechCrunch

Near Channel Point, the cyclone brought a storm surge of 2-3 m, barely surpassing the highest astronomical tide in a few areas.

Wikipedia

According to the official results, which were announced after a day-long delay, Bongo won 49.8percentt of votes, barely surpassing Ping, who garnered 48.23 of the vote.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In 2000, however, the Army barely surpassed its goal of 80,000 enlistees, by 113.

The New York Times

The dialogue barely surpasses lorem ipsum in its specificity: "Do you have any change?" "No".

The New Yorker

Cohabitors without a college degree, in contrast, were worse off than comparable married adults and barely surpassed those without opposite-sex partners in terms of economic well-being.

The New York Times

But the number of trial modifications, which last three to five months, has barely surpassed a million, and the growth is slowing.

The New York Times

Eight of those teams had a back who barely surpassed the mark, which means they all had a back who averaged at least 62.5 yards a game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely surpassing" when you want to emphasize that something has only just exceeded a minimum requirement or standard, indicating a small margin of success.

Common error

Avoid using "barely surpassing" when the amount exceeded is actually substantial. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the difference is minimal and noteworthy for being so small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely surpassing" functions as a modifier, often describing the extent to which a certain threshold or limit is exceeded. Ludwig AI provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely surpassing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a minimal exceedance of a certain level or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its use across varied contexts such as news, science, and wiki sources, showing a neutral register. When writing, remember to reserve "barely surpassing" for situations where the margin is genuinely small, as the phrase emphasizes the narrowness of the difference. Alternatives like "just exceeding" or "slightly exceeding" can be employed for similar meanings, offering subtle variations in emphasis. Ludwig AI can help you fine-tune your word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just exceeding

Emphasizes the minimal amount by which something exceeds a limit.

slightly exceeding

Highlights the small margin of difference when surpassing.

narrowly exceeding

Focuses on the slim margin by which something is surpassed.

scarcely exceeding

Implies difficulty and a near failure to surpass.

marginally exceeding

Stresses the minimal degree of surpassing.

hardly exceeding

Highlights that something is barely above a given limit

faintly exceeding

Implies a weak or subtle surpassing.

virtually equaling

Highlights how close something is to not surpassing.

almost reaching

Indicates closeness to a limit without necessarily surpassing it.

approaching but not exceeding

Emphasizes proximity to a threshold without going over it.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely surpassing" to describe situations where something only just exceeds a certain level or expectation. For example, "The company's profits were "just surpassing" last year's figures, indicating minimal growth."

What are some alternatives to "barely surpassing"?

Alternatives include "just exceeding", "slightly exceeding", or "narrowly exceeding". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "barely surpassing" in formal writing?

Yes, "barely surpassing" is appropriate in formal writing. It's a neutral phrase that accurately describes a situation where something narrowly exceeds a certain threshold. However, be mindful of the context and ensure that it aligns with the desired tone.

What's the difference between "barely surpassing" and "significantly exceeding"?

"Barely surpassing" indicates a minimal margin above a certain threshold, while "significantly exceeding" implies a substantial and noteworthy difference. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the difference being described.