barely used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been utilized to a very limited extent or infrequently. Example: "The new software was barely used by the team, as they preferred the older version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's barely used.

The Guardian

Many people had barely used e-mail.

The New York Times

Before that, he barely used Facebook.

The New York Times

He played in an offense that barely used him.

The New York Times - Sports

The furniture, the fixtures all seemed old but barely used.

The New Yorker

Yet Polly and I barely used the balcony.

Independent

Gadgets bought and barely used are the technology world's equivalent of exercise equipment.

The New York Times

THERE were barely used Manolo Blahnik shoes, some selling for as little as $50.

The New York Times - Style

About a decade ago the word internships was barely used in a British context.

The Guardian

In the nursing-home study, for example, two of the facilities barely used their telemedicine services.

The New Yorker

But then, many residential pavements near me are barely used outside certain times.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of a second-hand item, use "barely used" to highlight that it's close to new, enhancing its appeal to potential buyers.

Common error

In formal reports or academic papers, avoid relying too heavily on "barely used". Instead, opt for more precise and technical language like "minimally utilized" or "infrequently employed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely used" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun by indicating the extent to which it has been used. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is acceptable and common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely used" is a common and grammatically sound expression that describes something that has been used very little. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage. It functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, often employed to assure near-new condition, especially in sales contexts. While generally neutral, more formal scenarios may warrant synonyms like "minimally utilized". Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, this phrase remains a versatile and understood way to convey limited usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely utilized

Replaces "used" with a more formal synonym and "barely" with "scarcely", indicating a slight shift in formality.

hardly ever employed

Substitutes "used" with "employed" and "barely" with "hardly ever", suggesting infrequency of use.

under-utilized

A single word substitution indicating that the item or resource is not used to its full potential.

infrequently leveraged

Changes "used" to "leveraged" implying a resource or asset, and "barely" to "infrequently", indicating rare application.

minimally exploited

Replaces "used" with "exploited", suggesting resource utilization, and "barely" with "minimally", indicating a small extent of use.

seldom put to use

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the infrequency of the action of using something.

rarely brought into play

Emphasizes the lack of activation or implementation, applicable to strategies or plans.

almost never activated

Focuses on the state of activation, implying that something remains mostly inactive.

slightly touched

Implies a minimal degree of usage, often in the context of physical contact or consumption.

lightly exercised

Suggests minimal use in the sense of practice or application of a skill or function.

FAQs

What does "barely used" mean?

The phrase "barely used" indicates that something has been used to a very small extent or infrequently, implying it's in near-new condition.

What can I say instead of "barely used"?

You can use alternatives like "scarcely utilized", "hardly ever employed", or "under-utilized" depending on the context.

Is "barely used" a formal or informal phrase?

"Barely used" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for most contexts. For more formal writing, consider synonyms like "minimally exploited" or "infrequently leveraged".

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

You can use "barely used" to describe items or resources that have seen very little use, such as "The equipment was "barely used" and is in excellent condition".