can barely stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in stopping an action or behavior, often due to strong emotions or urges. Example: "I can barely stop laughing at his jokes; they are just too funny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Indeed, he can barely stop himself from upsetting them.

The Guardian

We can barely stop reading and retweeting long enough to update this post.

The New York Times

I can barely stop myself eating it out of the saucepan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As he says toward the end of the show, mixing sorrow and regret, "You see, I'm still overcome with such an aversion to human beings, I can barely stop myself from retching".

The New York Times

In discussion of rape and sexual assault, it is feminists who have challenged the myth that men are incited by short skirt, and the belief that the average man can barely stop his penis leaping from his trousers into the nearest vagina.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Sometimes he can barely contain a smirk.

The New York Times - Sports

Aqueduct's managers can barely contain themselves.

The New York Times

Johnston, 31, can barely contain his excitement.

BBC

"We can barely contain the news.

Los Angeles Times

In fact, they barely stop eating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I barely stop babbling when we resurface.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can barely stop" to convey a strong urge or impulse that is difficult to control. It emphasizes the near impossibility of stopping an action or feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "can barely stop" in situations where a simple "can't stop" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a struggle against a powerful inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely stop" functions as a modal phrase indicating a near-impossibility of halting an action or emotion. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English and can be used to express difficulty in stopping an action or behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can barely stop" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey the difficulty in restraining oneself from an action or emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news, lifestyle and sports contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a genuine struggle against a strong impulse, differentiating it from simpler expressions like "can't stop". Related alternatives include "can hardly refrain" and "can scarcely contain", offering nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can barely resist

Similar meaning but highlights the element of resistance.

almost cannot stop

Adds a degree of certainty to the inability to stop.

can hardly refrain

Emphasizes difficulty in refraining from something, rather than stopping.

can scarcely hold back

Highlights the effort involved in holding back an action or emotion.

barely manages to halt

Focuses on the slim margin by which an action is stopped.

can scarcely contain

Focuses on the inability to contain an emotion or reaction.

struggles to cease

Emphasizes the effort involved in stopping.

is on the verge of

Indicates being close to starting an action.

is fighting to halt

Highlights the active struggle to stop something.

finds it hard to discontinue

Focuses on the difficulty of discontinuing an action.

FAQs

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

Use "can barely stop" to express a strong urge or difficulty in halting an action. For example, "I can barely stop myself from laughing at his jokes" indicates the jokes are very funny.

What does "can barely stop" mean?

It means that someone is finding it extremely difficult to prevent themselves from doing something, suggesting a strong impulse or urge is present.

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

You can use alternatives like "can hardly refrain", "can scarcely contain", or "can barely resist" depending on the context.

Is "can hardly stop" or "can barely stop" more appropriate?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Can barely stop" emphasizes a greater struggle against an impulse than "can hardly stop", though they're often interchangeable.