be barely passable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be barely passable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is just acceptable or sufficient, but not impressive or of high quality. Example: "The food at the restaurant was be barely passable, leaving much to be desired in terms of flavor and presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Roads in rural areas are barely passable.

The Economist

The phones and roads are barely passable.

The New York Times

During his childhood the village road was barely passable.

The Economist

The offense is cratering and the defense is barely passable.

The New York Times - Sports

At peak hours, some sidewalks are barely passable.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, however, the actors' simulation of these highly trained musicians is barely passable.

The New York Times

Many roads outside Dili, the capital, are barely passable by most cars.

The New York Times

By Sunday afternoon, the back roads that lead there were barely passable.

The New Yorker

A coarsely clever rapper, she's barely passable as a singer.

The New York Times

They have endured French-speaking judges whose English is barely passable and who aren't familiar with their judicial system.

The New York Times

Sections of Highway 1 were barely passable a decade ago, and Western officials have often cited the rebuilding of the road as a relative success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be barely passable", consider the context and whether a stronger or more descriptive adjective would be more appropriate to convey the degree of inadequacy. For example, instead of "The road was be barely passable", you might say "The road was treacherous" or "The road was nearly impassable".

Common error

Avoid using "be barely passable" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound vague or imprecise. Opt for more specific and descriptive language to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be barely passable" functions as an adjective phrase describing the state or quality of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It indicates that something meets the minimum requirements for being passable or acceptable, but nothing more.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be barely passable" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is only just adequate or functional, lacking any margin for error or excellence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct and usable. Its use is balanced across different registers, but most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki sources. When writing, consider whether a stronger adjective might provide a more vivid description. While "be barely passable" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be just passable

Emphasizes the minimal level of acceptability, stressing that it barely meets the required standard.

be scarcely adequate

Highlights the inadequacy, suggesting it's only just meeting the minimum requirements.

be marginally acceptable

Focuses on the slight margin by which something is deemed acceptable.

be only just adequate

Stresses the minimal level of adequacy, reinforcing that it's only just sufficient.

be hardly navigable

Specifically refers to the difficulty in traversing or navigating something.

be nearly impassable

Indicates a state very close to being completely blocked or impossible to traverse.

be somewhat traversable

Suggests that passage is possible but with difficulty or limitations.

be questionably satisfactory

Raises doubt about the level of satisfaction it provides, implying it may not be truly satisfactory.

be almost inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty in accessing or reaching something, nearly to the point of being impossible.

be minimally compliant

Focuses on the minimum level of compliance or adherence to standards.

FAQs

How can I use "be barely passable" in a sentence?

You can use "be barely passable" to describe something that is just acceptable or sufficient, but not of high quality. For example: "The quality of the acting was "just passable"." or "The road conditions were "almost impassable"."

What can I say instead of "be barely passable"?

You can use alternatives like "be just passable", "be scarcely adequate", or "be marginally acceptable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be barely passable"?

It is appropriate when you want to convey that something meets the minimum requirements but lacks excellence or is in poor condition. For instance, "The old bridge was "barely safe" to cross."

What's the difference between "be barely passable" and "be impassable"?

"Be barely passable" means something can be traversed or accepted, but with difficulty or low quality. "Be impassable" means something cannot be traversed or accepted at all. The former implies a minimal level of functionality, while the latter implies complete blockage or unacceptability.