can barely say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely say" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in articulating thoughts or feelings, often due to emotional or situational constraints. Example: "After hearing the news, I can barely say how I feel right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I can barely say it myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can barely say what I was feeling".

The New Yorker

This at a time when the Labour party can barely say the U-word without going pink.

The Guardian

But it was Cassidy's choice of Goodnight Mister Tom – "a book I can barely say the title of without beginning to cry", said host and Guardian writer Lucy Mangan – that ultimately prevailed.

The Guardian - Books

Nandini Sardesai, a sociology professor who grew up in Mumbai, said she had watched the gathering turn gradually from "private feast" into a public display of wealth that demands offerings from "people who can barely say where their next meal is coming from".

The New York Times

In the sports daily AS, Luis Nieto wrote: "His price was indecent, he came to Madrid without a pre-season, we had to study medicine to understand the injuries, he can barely say 'Buenos días', and he only has one foot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"The best are the faded signs, the ones you can barely read," she said.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, most of the the media can still barely say the word "torture" without using some ridiculously awkward workaround instead, let alone quote the domestic and international law statutes that unequivocally outlaw it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You give him a Cat in the Hat book, and he may not struggle with that, but he can barely read," Ms. Vega said.

The New York Times

- even worse than the Mail?" In a later tweet, he suggested the Sun was "read by people who can barely read at all" and said he was proud to despise the title - though this has since been deleted.

Independent

Chamberlain said that although the Stooges shorts can barely be said to have plots, they collectively have "a contextual arc.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can barely say" when you want to emphasize the difficulty someone has in articulating something, often due to emotional distress or social awkwardness. For example, "After the accident, she can barely say her own name."

Common error

While "can barely say" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing or professional reports. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely say" functions as a verb phrase indicating a limited ability to articulate or express something. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests a struggle to speak due to emotional or physical constraints.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can barely say" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate someone's difficulty in articulating something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is often found in News & Media contexts, conveying emotional distress or limitations in expression. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in very formal settings. Alternative phrases like "struggle to articulate" can provide variety. Remember to use "can barely say" when you want to emphasize the challenge of speaking, due to emotions or circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle to articulate

Focuses on the difficulty in forming coherent words or sentences.

find it hard to express

Highlights the challenge in conveying thoughts or feelings.

have trouble uttering

Emphasizes the difficulty in physically speaking the words.

am at a loss for words

Indicates a complete inability to speak due to shock or emotion.

cannot bring myself to say

Highlights a psychological barrier to speaking.

stumble over words

Focuses on hesitations and errors in speech.

can scarcely verbalize

Emphasizes the almost complete inability to put something into words.

lack the words to express

Highlights the absence of appropriate vocabulary.

find it difficult to voice

Emphasizes the difficulty in audibly expressing oneself.

can't quite put it into words

Highlights the struggle to find appropriate wording.

FAQs

What does it mean to "can barely say" something?

When someone "can barely say" something, it indicates they have significant difficulty expressing themselves, often because of strong emotions, fear, or physical limitations.

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

You can use "can barely say" to describe someone's struggle to articulate thoughts or feelings. For example: "He can barely say how grateful he is." or "She can barely say the word 'no'".

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

You can use alternatives like "struggle to articulate", "find it hard to express", or "am at a loss for words" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "can barely say" and "can hardly say"?

"Can barely say" and "can hardly say" are largely interchangeable and have a very close semantic meaning. Both phrases convey difficulty in articulating something. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.