barely viable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely viable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only just able to survive or function, often in a challenging context. Example: "The startup's business model is barely viable, struggling to attract enough customers to sustain operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I must have been a barely viable fetus then".

The New Yorker

When the economic crash came, many pulled out, unwilling to commit to barely viable land.

The Economist

But since Sainsbury's came along, their turnover has halved, so that something that was flourishing is now barely viable.

Independent

Copper accounts for about 70% of Zambia's exports and 13% of GDP, but at current prices the industry is barely viable.

The Economist

Of course this means that Abbas may agree to a resolution of a conflict that will satisfy few Palestinians and create a barely viable state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Medical professionals seem far more interested in keeping alive barely viable premature "miracle" babies with a poor long-term prognosis than in offering reassurance to the growing and ageing multitudes who long to depart peacefully.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Back in 2006, self-publishing was in truth only barely a viable option.

Huffington Post

France actually considered Segolene Royal, who could step out in a bikini at 50, and still run as a barely (pun intended) viable presidential candidate a few years back.

Huffington Post

It's just not viable.

Forbes

The production of high-added value products derived from the organosulfur material present in oil can be regarded also as an economically viable process that has barely begun to be explored.

Journal of Biotechnology

The influx of cash has cast much attention on the space including, principally, how these companies propose to become viable businesses when they charge barely a dollar for a ride.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely viable", ensure the context clearly indicates the struggle for survival or functionality. For example, "The small business, with its limited resources, was operating on a barely viable business model."

Common error

Avoid using "barely viable" when the subject is clearly failing or has already failed. The phrase suggests a slim chance of success, not a state of definitive failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely viable" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe its state of existence or functionality. Ludwig provides examples where it describes a "fetus", "land", "state", "olive groves", and "shopping centre", among other things.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely viable" is a useful adjectival phrase to express that something is only just capable of succeeding or functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's prevalent in contexts like news, science, and business. While grammatically sound, writers should ensure its usage aligns with the intended meaning, avoiding situations where complete failure is implied. Related phrases include "scarcely feasible" and "marginally sustainable", offering nuanced alternatives. Overall, "barely viable" is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for describing precarious situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely feasible

Replaces "viable" with "feasible", emphasizing the difficulty in achieving the desired outcome or result.

marginally sustainable

Focuses on the sustainability aspect, indicating a situation where something can barely be maintained or continued.

almost unworkable

Shifts the emphasis to the practical aspect of something not working, highlighting the difficulty of implementation.

only just operational

Implies that something is functional to the minimum extent required.

tenuously functional

Highlights the fragile nature of the functionality, indicating a high risk of failure.

near collapse

Emphasizes the imminence of failure or breakdown.

weakly functional

Focuses on the low quality and effectiveness of its function.

hardly achievable

Replaces "viable" with "achievable", denoting that the subject can hardly be attained.

on the brink of failure

Uses a different figure of speech emphasizing the closeness to a negative outcome.

just about surviving

Shifts focus on the survival aspect, implying a precarious existence.

FAQs

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

The phrase "barely viable" is used to describe something that is only just able to survive or function. Example: "The startup's business model is barely viable, struggling to attract enough customers to sustain operations."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "barely viable"?

Similar phrases include "scarcely feasible", "marginally sustainable", or "almost unworkable". These alternatives convey a similar sense of something existing at a minimum level of functionality.

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

Yes, "barely viable" is appropriate for formal writing. As Ludwig indicates, it's used in various professional contexts, including news media, scientific articles, and business reports.

What's the difference between "barely viable" and "not viable"?

"Barely viable" suggests that something has a slim chance of success or functionality, while "not viable" means it is impossible to succeed or function.