barely try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone makes a minimal effort or attempts something with very little commitment. Example: "He barely tried to finish the project, which is why it turned out poorly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Officials barely try to conceal this fact.

The New York Times

Corruption begins to have a Third World quality; people barely try to conceal it.

The New Yorker

Now buyers drive openly through the neighborhood and sellers barely try to hide their activities.

The New York Times

ON "Aquemini," OutKast made an effort to identify with ordinary people; on "Stankonia," they barely try.

The New York Times - Arts

Trending: Thank goodness we have Hasan Minhaj to call out people who barely try to correctly pronounce names.

The Washington Post

Sam and Dinah can barely communicate, and barely try: instead, they defer their problem by escaping to the movies.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Or barely trying?

The Washington Post

He barely tried.

The New York Times

Texas has barely tried rebutting that evidence.

The New Yorker

He barely tries to offer competing ideas.

The Economist

Curiously, he barely tried to do this.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely try", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of significant effort or intent. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight the inadequacy or perfunctoriness of an action.

Common error

Avoid using "barely try" when the subject has clearly made a substantial effort, even if unsuccessful. The phrase is most impactful when the lack of commitment is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely try" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the extent or degree to which an action is performed. It modifies a verb to express a minimal attempt. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely try" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, indicating a minimal level of effort or a weak attempt. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While "barely try" is acceptable, variations such as "hardly attempt", "scarcely make an effort", or "give a minimal effort" can provide nuanced alternatives, based on the intent. The phrase's function is to modify verbs, expressing a judgment about the adequacy or sincerity of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely make an attempt

Similar in meaning, this phrase is more explicit in stating an attempt was made.

Hardly attempt

Emphasizes the lack of any real attempt or effort.

Give a minimal effort

Focuses on the very small amount of energy or work put into the task.

Scarcely make an effort

Highlights the minimal level of effort exerted.

Token effort

A symbolic or perfunctory effort, done to satisfy requirements with little genuine intent.

Offer a feeble attempt

Describes the attempt as weak or inadequate.

Slightly endeavor

Indicates a small or weak attempt, but more formal.

Just about attempt

Focuses on the marginal nature of the attempt.

Limpingly try

Conveys a sense of weakness or lack of enthusiasm in the attempt.

Superficially try

The attempt is only on the surface, lacking depth or commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely try" to indicate a minimal level of effort, as in "He "barely tried" to conceal his disappointment" or "They "barely tried" to communicate".

What does it mean when someone says they "barely try"?

It suggests that the person did the minimum required, or made a very weak attempt, indicating a lack of real commitment or enthusiasm.

Which is correct, "barely try" or "hardly try"?

Both "barely try" and "hardly try" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, indicating a lack of significant effort. Consider using "hardly attempt" as an alternative.

What are some alternatives to "barely try"?

Some alternatives include "scarcely make an effort", "offer a feeble attempt", or "give a minimal effort", each emphasizing a lack of substantial effort.