can barely run

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely run" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has difficulty running or is not able to run effectively. Example: "After the injury, he can barely run, but he still tries to participate in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I can barely run".

The Guardian

The same could apply to Rodriguez, who can barely run because of a strained left hamstring.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now I can barely run around with the grandchildren," he said.

The New York Times

That is one crazy man coaching this team - the guy can barely run.

The Guardian - Sport

And there's me – I can barely run – with a dodgy knee.

The Guardian - Sport

Liz Yelling has plenty, while Paula Radcliffe can barely run for the OS dripping from her shoulders.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

So she wrote that I can barely function or run my store without them.

The New York Times

"But keep in mind this is an ad that I didn't approve, I did not produce, and as far as I can tell, has barely run".

Huffington Post

I can barely work.

The Guardian

I can barely move.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ana can barely move for Audis.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the degree of difficulty, follow "can barely run" with a specific detail, such as "due to a knee injury" or "without experiencing pain".

Common error

Avoid using "can barely run" when the intended meaning is complete inability to run. "Can barely run" implies some limited capacity, whereas "cannot run" or "is unable to run" indicates a total absence of running ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely run" typically functions as a verbal phrase, indicating a limited ability to perform the action of running. Ludwig examples show it describing physical limitations due to injury, age, or other conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can barely run" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a limited ability to run. Ludwig examples and Ludwig AI confirm its validity and versatility across contexts. While it's most frequently found in news and media sources, its neutral tone allows for use in various settings. Be sure to use the phrase when referring to a limited capacity to run, not a complete inability, and consider alternatives like "struggles to run" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggles to run

Replaces "can barely" with "struggles", emphasizing difficulty.

has difficulty running

Substitutes "can barely" with a more formal expression of difficulty.

is hardly able to run

Uses "hardly able" instead of "can barely", indicating a slight shift in tone.

is almost unable to run

Replaces "barely" with "almost unable", stressing near impossibility.

can scarcely run

Employs "scarcely" for a slightly more literary or formal feel.

finds it hard to run

Shifts the focus to the experience of finding running difficult.

is not really able to run

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the inability to run well.

has a hard time running

Similar to "finds it hard", but with a more colloquial expression.

is limited in running ability

Focuses on a limitation of ability rather than direct inability.

is impaired in running

Highlights the impairment affecting the ability to run.

FAQs

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

Use "can barely run" to describe someone or something that has a limited ability to run. For example, "After the injury, he "can barely run", but he still tries to participate in the race."

What are some alternatives to "can barely run"?

You can use alternatives like "struggles to run", "has difficulty running", or "is hardly able to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can't barely run"?

No, "can't barely run" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""can barely run"", as "barely" already implies a negative condition.

What's the difference between "can barely run" and "can hardly run"?

The phrases ""can barely run"" and "can hardly run" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both indicate a limited ability to run, with a slight nuance in emphasis. "Hardly" might suggest a more significant limitation than "barely", but the difference is minimal.