barring unforeseen difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barring unforeseen difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is expected to happen unless unexpected problems arise. Example: "The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month, barring unforeseen difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This, then, is the discouraged, disjointed beast that Michael Chertoff, barring unforeseen difficulties, will soon inherit.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Barring unforeseen repercussions from his concussion, Drogba will be back.

The New York Times - Sports

Barring unforeseen circumstances, I promised, I'd be there.

The New Yorker

Barring unforeseen complications, they could complete their quest early next week.

The New York Times - Sports

Barring unforeseen disasters, the first dividends, totalling £133m, will be paid in July.

Independent

Both sides expect that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Ms. Kagan will be confirmed.

The New York Times

"Barring unforeseen disasters, these herbaceous plants could live forever," he said.

The New York Times

Barring unforeseen and amazing wizardry, it's not going to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Barring unforeseen calamity, they're on the way to do just that.

The Guardian - Sport

"Barring unforeseen occurrences in the final weekend, John Kerry should carry the state fairly easily".

The New York Times

Barring unforeseen events, the bill is expected to gain final parliamentary approval on 20 March.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase; while appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, it may be overly cautious in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where "barring unforeseen difficulties" is used passively or in a way that obscures agency. For instance, instead of saying "Progress will be made, barring unforeseen difficulties", opt for "We expect to make progress, barring unforeseen difficulties", to highlight who is taking action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring unforeseen difficulties" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement, introducing a condition or exception. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. It suggests a likely outcome while acknowledging potential disruptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barring unforeseen difficulties" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that something is expected to happen unless unexpected problems arise. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, lending a note of realism to statements of expectation. While it's a neutral to formal phrase, consider your audience and context to see if the use of a more succinct alternative is more appropriate. By understanding its function and usage, writers can effectively communicate both confidence and caution in their statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unless unexpected problems arise

Replaces "barring" with "unless" and uses more common vocabulary.

assuming no unexpected complications

Uses "assuming" instead of "barring" and "complications" instead of "difficulties".

absent unexpected challenges

Focuses on the absence of challenges rather than potential difficulties.

provided there are no unforeseen issues

Emphasizes the condition of having no unforeseen issues.

in the absence of unforeseen issues

Highlights the absence of unforeseen issues as the condition.

if no unexpected setbacks occur

Highlights potential setbacks as the condition.

contingent on no unforeseen problems

Uses "contingent" to emphasize the dependency on the absence of problems.

without any unforeseen hitches

Uses "hitches" for a slightly less formal tone.

subject to no unexpected obstacles

Emphasizes the potential obstacles.

assuming all goes as planned

Simplifies the expression to a more general statement of expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "barring unforeseen difficulties" in a sentence?

Use "barring unforeseen difficulties" to express a conditional expectation. For example, "The project should be completed on time, "barring unforeseen difficulties"."

What phrases are similar to "barring unforeseen difficulties"?

Similar phrases include "unless unexpected problems arise", "assuming no unexpected complications", or "provided there are no unforeseen issues".

Is "barring unforeseen difficulties" formal or informal?

"Barring unforeseen difficulties" is generally considered suitable for formal and neutral contexts, such as business communications, news reports, and academic writing. It might sound overly cautious in casual conversation.

What's the best way to replace "barring unforeseen difficulties" for brevity?

For a shorter alternative, consider using phrases like "if all goes well" or "without complications", depending on the specific context.