barring any last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring any last" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to assess its correctness in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something will happen unless an unexpected event occurs at the last moment. Example: "The event will proceed as planned, barring any last-minute changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An announcement is expected to come today, the executives said, barring any last minute snags.

The New York Times

Barring any last minute hitch, Croatia will join the EU next year while Serbia remains firmly on the waiting list.

The Economist

Because of our pre-production conferences with director of photography Floyd Crosby and art director Daniel Haller, everyone knew exactly what to do, barring any last minute inspirations on the set.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It becomes official, barring any last-minute snags, when the NFL's new league year begins Wednesday.

The Washington Post

Barring any last-minute problems, the bill is expected to go the House floor on Friday.

The New York Times

They said Ms Kampusch will not be hidden or disguised, barring any last-minute change of heart by her.

The Guardian

Barring any last-minute hitch, the agreement also means that the delayed 2008 budget could be drawn up this week.

The New York Times

Barring any last-minute changes, this will probably become a requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2005.

The New York Times

ESPN is reporting that Peyton Manning has decided that, barring any last-minute snags over money, he wants to be a Denver Bronco.

The New Yorker

Texas is expected to announce its decision on Tuesday, and barring any last-ditch efforts to save the Big 12, it will join the Pac-10.

The New York Times - Sports

And, barring any last-minute change, safety Kerry Rhodes will remain with the Jets next season and receive his $2 million roster bonus next week.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barring any last" consider the register of your writing. While acceptable, it is less formal than other expressions, it would be more suited to news reporting and less appropriate for formal academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "barring any last" when a more specific condition is known. If you know the potential problem, state it directly rather than using a general caveat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring any last" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a condition that, if unmet, would alter the expected outcome. It sets a caveat, indicating that an anticipated event will proceed unless something unexpected occurs close to the deadline. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts where deals, agreements, or plans are in place, but subject to unforeseen final issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barring any last" is a conditional phrase used to indicate that an expected event will occur unless an unexpected problem arises close to the deadline. Ludwig shows that it's commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to manage expectations and acknowledge potential disruptions. The phrase is generally grammatically correct and serves to set a caveat, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, though alternatives might be preferable in formal writing. When using the phrase, consider the context and register to ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided there are no last-minute hitches

Similar meaning but specifies hitches.

except for any last-minute problems

Focuses on solving the problems that could arise.

assuming no last-minute difficulties

Highlights the assumption of smooth proceedings.

unless something unexpected happens

Specifies a condition that could disrupt a plan, focusing on unexpected events.

contingent on no late setbacks

Emphasizes the reliance on avoiding setbacks.

absent any final complications

Similar meaning but emphasizes the absence of complications.

subject to no final obstacles

Expresses that the described result is conditioned to the absence of any obstacle.

without unforeseen circumstances

Highlights the absence of unforeseen issues.

if no final issues arise

Expresses a condition based on potential problems.

save for unforeseen issues

Indicates a possible exception for events that weren't foreseen.

FAQs

How can I use "barring any last" in a sentence?

You can use "barring any last" to introduce a condition that could prevent an expected event from happening. For instance, "The deal will be finalized, barring any last-minute complications".

What's a more formal alternative to "barring any last"?

More formal alternatives include "absent any final complications", "without unforeseen circumstances", or "subject to no final obstacles".

Is it correct to say "barring any last minute"?

Yes, "barring any last minute" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something will happen unless an unexpected issue arises at the last moment.

What does "provided there are no last-minute hitches" mean and how does it compare to "barring any last"?

"provided there are no last-minute hitches" means assuming there are no unexpected problems at the end. It's similar to "barring any last", but specifically mentions "hitches" or minor problems.