but barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but barely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only just sufficient or that it barely meets a certain standard or requirement. Example: "She passed the exam, but barely, scoring just above the minimum required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But barely.

The New York Times

(I'm paraphrasing, but barely).

The New Yorker

It's there, but barely.

The New York Times

"Fuck" was alive but barely.

The New Yorker

Syracuse won, but barely.

The New York Times - Sports

The outpost had held on, but barely.

The New York Times

They were born in America, but barely.

University of California, Berkeley

The six men survived, but barely.

Princeton University

I thought "Ouch!" but barely flinched.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many thought it might survive but barely.

Harvard Business Review

Better than nothing but barely.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "but only just" or "but scarcely" to enhance clarity. While "but barely" is acceptable, these alternatives can lend a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "but barely" when describing situations that clearly demonstrate a strong success or surplus. The phrase is intended to convey a sense of near insufficiency, not abundance or ease. For instance, it would be incorrect to say, "The company's profits soared, but barely," as soaring profits contradict the implication of marginal success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but barely" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically following a clause to qualify or limit the preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase suggests a narrow margin or minimal sufficiency, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but barely" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something was achieved by a narrow margin or is only just sufficient. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its suitability across various contexts, though alternatives like "but scarcely" or "but only just" might be preferred in more formal settings. The key is to ensure the context supports the implication of near insufficiency when using the phrase, avoiding its misuse with situations of strong success. Its frequent occurrence in News & Media confirms its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but scarcely

Replaces "barely" with "scarcely", maintaining the meaning of something being achieved with difficulty or only just.

but hardly

Substitutes "barely" with "hardly", emphasizing the narrow margin by which something is achieved.

but just enough

Replaces "barely" with "just enough", clarifying that the achievement was only minimally sufficient.

but only just

Emphasizes the narrowness of the margin by using "only just" instead of "barely".

but by a whisker

Introduces a more figurative expression, "by a whisker", to convey the narrowness of the margin.

but near enough

Indicates an approximation to the expected result with a lower degree of precision.

but within an inch

Introduces a figurative expression, to convey the idea that something nearly happened.

but a close call

Replaces the original phrase with a more idiomatic expression to denote a narrow escape or success.

but touch and go

Replaces the original phrase with a more risky idiom to convey the narrowness of the margin.

but a slim chance

Replaces the original phrase with another alternative to denote a narrow success.

FAQs

How can I use "but barely" in a sentence?

You can use "but barely" to indicate that something was achieved by a narrow margin or is only just sufficient. For example, "She passed the test, but barely", meaning she almost failed.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "but barely"?

Alternatives to "but barely" include "but hardly", "but scarcely", or "but only just", all of which convey a similar sense of something being achieved by a narrow margin.

Is it appropriate to use "but barely" in formal writing?

While "but barely" is generally acceptable, in formal writing, you might consider alternatives such as "but only just" or "but scarcely" for a more precise and sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "but barely" and "but easily"?

"But barely" implies a narrow success or sufficiency, suggesting something was achieved with difficulty. In contrast, "but easily" indicates that something was achieved without much effort. They have opposite meanings.