can barely accommodate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely accommodate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is only able to provide minimal support or space for something else. Example: "The small conference room can barely accommodate the number of attendees we expect for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We can barely accommodate our own students.

The New York Times

Four days and a small sliver of mostly artificial beachfront can barely accommodate the hordes of dealers, collectors, artists, designers, photographers, curators, journalists and hangers-on that descend en masse for pre-holiday sunning and high-ticket spending.

The New York Times

Mount Everest has turned into a playground that can barely accommodate all those who want to try to conquer it – from the most professional of experienced mountaineers doing their own thing to the amateur adventurers who have deep enough pockets to fund their dream and sign up in organised groups led by Sherpas.

Independent

The popularity has strained the museum, whose 1,000 square feet can barely accommodate the 80 school groups that visit annually; or the 3,000 pieces in the museum's collection (about half of which are on display); or its lectures, because the metal folding chairs only fit 40 people.

The New York Times - Arts

On 95th Street in Ozone Park, Queens, two drivers in S.U.V.'s barrel toward each other but soon realize that they are closing in on an intractable problem of spatial relations: the 60-foot-wide two-way street can barely accommodate a row of parked cars on either side and the drivers' wide-bodied vehicles.

The New York Times

They are characterized by ultralow permeability and the micropore spaces that can barely accommodate flow of tiny methane molecules (Sandrea 2012).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

You can barely fit.

The New Yorker

Or that the locker room could barely accommodate all of the cameras, microphones and extension cords.

The New York Times - Sports

Each floor had only 2,500 square feet and could barely accommodate a few cameras.

The New York Times - Arts

The region at TM1/E1 border barely accommodated one calcein molecule with a partial hydration shell.

Cell Communication and Signaling

His street-side theater can accommodate barely 10 red plastic chairs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can barely accommodate", ensure the context clearly defines what is being accommodated and why the capacity is limited. This provides clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "can barely accommodate" when the situation implies a complete inability to accommodate. "Can barely accommodate" suggests a minimal capacity, not a complete lack thereof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely accommodate" functions as a qualifier, indicating a severe limitation in the ability of something to provide sufficient space, resources, or support. It emphasizes the marginal capacity, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can barely accommodate" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a minimal capacity or ability to provide something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in news and media, and in scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that the context accurately reflects this limited capacity to avoid overstating the limitation. Alternatives such as "can hardly accommodate" or "is struggling to accommodate" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. While the phrase is valid in English, it is important to maintain a clear distinction between limited and zero capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can hardly accommodate

Uses "hardly" instead of "barely", conveying a similar meaning of near impossibility.

can scarcely accommodate

Replaces "barely" with "scarcely", indicating a minimal ability to accommodate.

can only just accommodate

Emphasizes the narrow margin by which accommodation is possible.

is stretched to accommodate

Highlights the strain or difficulty in providing accommodation.

is struggling to accommodate

Indicates a significant challenge in providing sufficient accommodation.

can't quite accommodate

Suggests a slight shortfall in the ability to accommodate.

falls short of accommodating

Highlights the inadequacy of accommodation.

is insufficient to accommodate

Emphasizes the lack of capacity to accommodate.

lacks the capacity to accommodate

Focuses on the absence of sufficient capacity.

is ill-equipped to accommodate

Highlights the unsuitability of the resources for accommodation.

FAQs

How to use "can barely accommodate" in a sentence?

Use "can barely accommodate" to indicate that something has just enough room or resources for a particular need. For example, "The venue "can barely accommodate" the expected crowd" suggests the venue is small for the event.

What can I say instead of "can barely accommodate"?

Alternatives include "can hardly accommodate", "can scarcely accommodate", or "is stretched to accommodate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can barely accommodate"?

Yes, the phrase "can barely accommodate" is grammatically correct and widely used to express that something is only just sufficient for a particular purpose.

What is the difference between "can barely accommodate" and "cannot accommodate"?

"Can barely accommodate" means there is minimal room or resources, while "cannot accommodate" signifies a complete inability to provide room or resources. The former implies a possibility, however limited, while the latter indicates impossibility.