barely to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely to know" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a limited understanding or knowledge of something, but the construction is awkward. Example: "He seemed barely to know the basics of the subject during the discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

One young animal, shown navigating precipitous cliffs, seems barely to know what its limbs are for.

The New York Times - Arts

More disturbingly, the play abruptly plops Mr. Gayley into the role of Susan's baby sitter, while her mother seems barely to know him.

The New York Times

It's a generic choice for what turns out to be a generic pair: the opera's Rescorla, played by the game but stiff and underpowered baritone Thomas Hampson, and Hill, the burnished tenor William Burden, seem barely to know each other.

The New York Times - Arts

When asked by The New York Times for others to speak to about Ms. Palin, her spokeswoman, Ms. Stapleton, mentioned the Republican media adviser Mary Matalin (who has been in sporadic contact with Ms. Palin's camp) and Dana Perino, the former White House press secretary for George W. Bush (who seemed barely to know her).

The New York Times

There are queues to get in to the exhibition, the tearful old often guiding the young, many of them brought up barely to know who General Franco was.A book by another journalist, Isaias Lafuente, recounts how Franco used Republican prisoners as forced labour after the war.

The Economist

Josh Henderson and Haley Webb are Billy and Sarah, a young Los Angeles couple who seem barely to know each other but decide to try to pull off an elaborate bit of criminal deception after finding Sarah's roommate dead of an overdose.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We're barely getting used to Kobe and Allen and Vince, barely getting to know them as genuine competitors in the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Wang barely seemed to know who Daley was.

The New Yorker

Alas Saara, we'll barely get to know you.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In any case, Hilly falls into a swoon over a girl he barely gets to know.

The New York Times - Books

I have to acknowledge that I barely got to know Carey during my brief stint as his scribe.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "barely to know" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "hardly know" or "scarcely know" to convey a limited understanding or acquaintance.

Common error

The structure "barely to know" often arises from confusion with adverbs modifying verbs. Remember to use "hardly know" or "scarcely know" instead. For example, say "I hardly know him" instead of "I barely to know him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely to know" functions as an attempt to express a limited understanding or acquaintance. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. Therefore, it is advisable to use alternatives like "hardly know" or "scarcely know".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "barely to know" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to express a limited understanding or acquaintance. More appropriate and grammatically sound alternatives include "hardly know" or "scarcely know". Therefore, avoid using "barely to know" in formal writing and opt for the recommended alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly know

This is a more grammatically correct and common way to express a lack of familiarity.

scarcely know

Similar to 'hardly know', it indicates a limited degree of acquaintance or understanding.

barely acquainted with

Emphasizes a slight or superficial connection or knowledge.

have little knowledge of

Focuses on the limited amount of information or understanding one possesses.

vaguely familiar with

Suggests a slight or uncertain awareness.

not very familiar with

A straightforward way to express a limited level of acquaintance.

only slightly aware of

Highlights a minimal level of consciousness or understanding.

hardly recognize

Implies a limited ability to identify or remember someone or something.

know next to nothing about

Indicates a severe lack of knowledge on a particular subject.

have a rudimentary understanding of

Suggests a basic or elementary level of comprehension.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "barely to know"?

The correct way to express a lack of familiarity is to use phrases like "hardly know" or "scarcely know".

Is "barely to know" grammatically correct?

No, "barely to know" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "hardly know" or "scarcely know".

What does "barely to know" mean?

While not grammatically sound, "barely to know" is an attempt to convey a limited understanding or acquaintance. However, it's more appropriate to use "hardly know" or "scarcely know" to express this meaning clearly.

How can I use "hardly know" in a sentence?

You can say, "I hardly know anything about physics" or "She "hardly knows" what to do next."