barely talked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely talked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there was very little conversation or communication between people. Example: "During the meeting, the two colleagues barely talked, making the atmosphere quite tense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I barely talked to him at all.

The New Yorker

Father and son barely talked.

The New York Times

The two countries barely talked during the Clinton administration.

The New York Times

We've barely talked about Capodistria's teeth, for instance.

The Guardian - Books

I barely talked to him about myself — about college, about my classes, about my plans.

The New Yorker

MONTREAL — The history of architecture during World War II is barely talked about.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

They can barely talk.

The Guardian

They are barely talking.

The New York Times

"I can barely talk".

The New York Times

But now we barely talk".

The Guardian

By 7.30pm I could barely talk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely talked" to clearly indicate a significant lack of communication between individuals or entities. This phrase is effective in describing situations where interaction is minimal or practically nonexistent.

Common error

Avoid using "barely talked" when you mean there was a heated discussion or argument. The phrase implies a lack of communication, not a difficult or contentious one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely talked" functions as a descriptive statement indicating a minimal level of communication between two or more parties. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe interpersonal relationships, political interactions, and even internal divisions within organizations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely talked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate minimal communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's prevalent in news and media contexts, describing situations where interaction is significantly limited. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a lack of conversation rather than a difficult discussion. Alternatives such as "hardly spoke" or "scarcely communicated" can offer nuanced variations. Keep in mind the context and avoid implying contentiousness when the intent is to highlight the absence of interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly spoke

Focuses on the act of speaking, implying a lack of verbal communication.

scarcely communicated

Emphasizes the limited nature of communication, which can include both verbal and non-verbal means.

rarely conversed

Highlights the infrequency of conversation between individuals.

didn't say much

Simple way of expressing that someone was not very talkative.

exchanged few words

Indicates a minimal exchange of dialogue.

maintained silence

Emphasizes the lack of any verbal communication.

mostly quiet

Describes a state of being predominantly silent.

offered few remarks

Highlights the scarcity of comments or statements made.

kept conversation to a minimum

Indicates a deliberate effort to limit the extent of the conversation.

remained taciturn

Suggests a habitual disinclination to talk.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely talked" to describe situations where there was minimal conversation or communication between individuals. For example, "During the meeting, the two colleagues "barely talked", making the atmosphere quite tense."

What are some alternatives to "barely talked"?

Alternatives include "hardly spoke", "scarcely communicated", or "exchanged few words", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "barely talked" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports or analytical pieces, as it clearly conveys the limited nature of communication. As demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "barely talked" and "argued"?

"Barely talked" implies a lack of communication, while "argued" suggests a contentious exchange. If two people "barely talked", there was little to no conversation. If they argued, there was a disagreement and likely a heated discussion.