barring unforeseen disasters

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

Independent

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

The New York Times

When interviewed a year or two ago about the imminent refurbishment of Sydney Opera House, he looked forward to the projected completion date of 2012: "It's a long way ahead, but barring unforeseen disasters, I plan to be there when it happens".

The Guardian - Music

What's strange is that - unlike economists from rival banks - weeks before the credit crunch Sherwood was privately arguing that the United States was set fair for strong growth and that the world economy, barring unforeseen disasters like 9/11, was on a growth trajectory.

The Guardian - Business

BARRING unforeseen disasters, the euro's first challenge may well centre not on the currency itself but on fiscal policy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Sport

Barring unforeseen tragedy, that wish will come true when the Alliance Theater Company in Atlanta presents "Harmony" in a monthlong run beginning Sept. 6, directed by Tony Speciale.

The New York Times

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

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barring unforeseen disasters" to set a conditional expectation, especially when discussing future plans or projections where unexpected negative events could change the outcome.

Common error

While generally appropriate, avoid using "barring unforeseen disasters" in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "if all goes well" or "hopefully" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barring unforeseen disasters" functions as a conditional prepositional phrase, setting a condition under which a statement holds true. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct and usable expression in English. It modifies the main clause by introducing a caveat about potential negative events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barring unforeseen disasters" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, functioning as a conditional prepositional phrase to express guarded optimism. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is effectively used to indicate an expectation that something will occur unless disrupted by unexpected negative events. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal communication but less common in casual conversations. Alternatives like "barring any unforeseen events" or "unless unexpected catastrophes occur" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. Overall, the phrase serves as a useful tool for setting conditional expectations in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barring any unforeseen events

Uses the more general term "events" instead of "disasters", broadening the scope of potential disruptions.

absent unforeseen calamities

Replaces "disasters" with "calamities", implying a more severe level of negative events.

unless unexpected catastrophes occur

Uses "unless" to introduce the condition, and replaces "disasters" with "catastrophes" for emphasis.

short of unexpected calamities

Uses "short of" to indicate exception and replaces "disasters" with "calamities".

if no unexpected tragedies arise

Employs "if no" for the conditional and substitutes "disasters" with "tragedies", focusing on grave events.

assuming no unexpected crises emerge

Uses "assuming" to set a precondition and replaces "disasters" with "crises", highlighting critical situations.

without any unforeseen mishaps

Replaces "disasters" with "mishaps", suggesting less severe negative occurrences.

excluding unforeseen adversities

Replaces "disasters" with "adversities", focusing on challenging or unfavorable conditions.

except in the event of unforeseen incidents

Formal alternative replacing "disasters" with "incidents", suitable for professional contexts.

save for any unforeseen incidents

Offers a slightly archaic tone with "save for", replacing "disasters" with "incidents".

FAQs

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

You can use "barring unforeseen disasters" to express a conditional expectation, such as, "The company expects to launch the new product next quarter, barring unforeseen disasters."

What phrases are similar to "barring unforeseen disasters"?

Similar phrases include "barring any unforeseen events", "unless unexpected catastrophes occur", and "if no unexpected tragedies arise".

Is "barring unforeseen disasters" formal or informal?

"Barring unforeseen disasters" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news, business, and general writing. Simpler alternatives are preferred in very informal conversation.

What does "barring unforeseen disasters" mean?

It means that something is expected to happen unless unexpected and negative events occur to prevent it. It sets a condition that anticipates possible disruptions.