barring a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate exceptions to a general statement, suggesting that there are only a small number of cases that do not fit the norm. Example: "The event was a success, barring a few minor technical issues that were quickly resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hillaby made it, barring a few miles of unskirtable tarmac.

The Guardian - Travel

(Barring a few years after unification, it has run an almost uninterrupted surplus since 1952).

The Economist

Nor is it a heavy tourist destination, barring a few weeks in the fall.

The New York Times

Thirty years ago the city didn't exist, barring a few fishing towns along the coast.

The Guardian

Yet, in Europe, barring a few exceptions such as Norway, women lack representation on boards.

Harvard Business Review

The state-controlled All India Radio announced that, barring a few little incidents, the "situation was under control".

The New York Times

There is mental comfort in drawing patterns that supposedly apply systematically, indifferent to geography barring a few details.

The Guardian - Opinion

Barring a few clunking instances of cartoonish satire, Ms. Bonney's production is as harrowing as it is witty.

The New York Times

They wind up, barring a few kinks and quirks, as the very thing they laughed at all those years ago.

The Guardian - Film

Status Quo's show is, barring a few lumps in the middle, one of the most streamlined things you'll ever see.

The Guardian - Music

So far, Britain's military intervention has been limited to Iraq, barring a few Tommy pilots riding along in Yankee airplanes – without parliamentary approval – over Syria.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barring a few" to acknowledge minor exceptions that don't significantly alter the overall statement.

Common error

Avoid using "barring a few" if the exceptions are substantial enough to undermine the main point. In such cases, a more nuanced approach may be necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring a few" acts as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement by introducing exceptions or limitations. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, indicating that the statement holds true except for a small number of cases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barring a few" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge minor exceptions to a general statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While generally neutral in tone, more formal options exist for highly formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the exceptions are indeed minor and do not undermine the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a few exceptions

Rephrases the phrase to explicitly state "exceptions".

excluding a small number

Replaces "barring" with "excluding" and specifies "a small number".

except for a small number

Replaces "barring" with "except for" and uses "small number" instead of "few".

but for a limited number

Emphasizes the limited quantity of exceptions using "limited number".

aside from a handful

Uses "aside from" instead of "barring" and "handful" instead of "few".

apart from a couple

Uses "apart from" instead of "barring" and "couple" instead of "few".

not counting a few

Uses "not counting" to indicate the exceptions.

save for some

Uses "save for" as a substitute for "barring" and "some" instead of "a few".

besides a small quantity

Employs "besides" in place of "barring", highlighting a small quantity.

leaving out several

Changes the structure to focus on what is being left out.

FAQs

How can I use "barring a few" in a sentence?

Use "barring a few" to indicate that something is generally true, except for a small number of exceptions. For example, "The project was completed on time, "barring a few" minor setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "barring a few"?

You can use alternatives such as "except for a small number", "aside from a handful", or "with a few exceptions".

Is it more formal to use "barring a few" or "except for a few"?

"Except for a few" is slightly more common in formal contexts, although ""barring a few"" is acceptable in most situations.

What's the difference between "barring a few" and "with few exceptions"?

"Barring a few" is used to acknowledge some exceptions while still emphasizing the general truth, whereas "with few exceptions" places slightly greater emphasis on the exceptions themselves.