can barely stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely stand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe how difficult it is to remain standing or upright, or to endure a difficult situation. For example: "The long workday was taking its toll; I could barely stand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whichever, he can barely stand.

The New York Times

"He can barely stand".

The New York Times

Today, however, I can barely stand being around people.

The New York Times

Hambüchen can barely stand still, he's so emotional.

The New York Times

Today, she can barely stand up to make dinner.

The New York Times

"You can barely stand," Mr. Raoul said Tuesday night.

The New York Times - Style

In fact, like most dog-owners, I can barely stand to leave her at all.

Independent

By the time they get here, many can barely stand or talk or swallow.

The New York Times

I almost never talk about him; I can barely stand to think about him.

The New York Times

He cannot speak and can barely stand, having apparently been kept in a kind of dungeon.

The New York Times - Arts

However, an observer says that: "Ogilvy and JWT can barely stand to talk to each other.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical condition, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you mean the person is literally unable to remain upright or simply finding it very difficult. For example, "After the marathon, she "could barely walk"" versus "After the harsh criticism, she "could barely stand it"".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in purely literal contexts when a more descriptive term would be appropriate. Saying "He "can barely stand"" when you mean "He is wobbling" can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely stand" functions primarily as a descriptor of ability or tolerance, indicating a state of near-inability to physically stand or to endure something emotionally or mentally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses difficulty in standing or enduring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can barely stand" is a versatile phrase used to describe a near inability to either physically remain upright or to tolerate a situation, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide array of contexts. While grammatically straightforward, subtle differences in related phrases such as "can hardly tolerate" allow for nuanced expression. Remember to consider the intended meaning—physical or emotional—to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can barely tolerate

Similar to the original, but replaces "stand" with "tolerate".

can hardly bear

Similar to the original, but uses "bear" to convey a sense of suffering.

can hardly tolerate

Focuses on the inability to endure something emotionally or mentally.

can barely handle

Focuses on the struggle to control or manage something.

can scarcely bear

Uses "bear" to highlight the emotional weight of the situation.

can scarcely endure

Emphasizes the minimal level of tolerance possible.

can barely cope with

Highlights the struggle to manage or deal with a situation.

can scarcely manage

Emphasizes the difficulty in handling a particular task or situation.

can scarcely withstand

Highlights the lack of resistance to a force or pressure.

can hardly stomach

Indicates a strong aversion or distaste for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "can barely stand" to describe physical weakness or an inability to tolerate something. For example, "After the surgery, he "could barely stand"" or "I "can barely stand" his arrogance".

What does "can barely stand" mean?

"Can barely stand" means that someone is having extreme difficulty standing up, or that someone is finding it almost impossible to tolerate a situation or person.

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

"Can barely stand" and "can hardly stand" are very similar. Both indicate a significant difficulty or inability to do something. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

Which is more common, "can barely stand" or "can hardly stand"?

Both ""can barely stand"" and "can hardly stand" are relatively common, though "can barely stand" may be slightly more prevalent in contemporary usage based on some analyses.