can barely support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is only able to provide minimal assistance or sustenance. Example: "The old bridge can barely support the weight of a single car, making it unsafe for heavy traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Her income can barely support our large family.

The Guardian

His mother can barely support herself and his stepbrothers and sisters.

The New York Times

It pays so poorly that he can barely support his partner and their infant son.

The Guardian - Books

The atmosphere becomes so thin that it can barely support the aircraft.

The Guardian - Tech

With UK support, the international financial institutions will also provide cheaper loans to help Jordan and Lebanon build new infrastructure and reshape their economies to deal with the huge influx of people, which their small populations can barely support.

The Guardian - Opinion

I dream of a real treehouse study, but the one spindly, woody specimen in the garden can barely support a bird-feeder, let alone the Swiss Family Robinson cabin of my imagination.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We can barely defend ourselves".

The New York Times

Whichever, he can barely stand.

The New York Times

"He can barely stand".

The New York Times

I can barely stand here right now".

Los Angeles Times

Perhaps Adam Scott and Ken Marino can barely stand each other.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can barely support", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what is doing the supporting and what is being supported.

Common error

Avoid using "can barely support" when a situation is completely unsustainable. This phrase implies minimal support, not a total lack of it. Choose stronger language if there is no support at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely support" functions as a modal phrase expressing a limited ability or capacity. It indicates that something is only just capable of providing support, suggesting a state of near inadequacy or potential failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can barely support" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a limited capacity to sustain or provide for something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its frequency across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, underscores its versatility. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject and object are well-defined. While "can barely support" implies minimal support, avoid using it when there's a total absence of support; choose stronger language instead. Alternative phrases, such as "struggles to sustain" or "is hardly able to maintain", offer nuanced options for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggles to sustain

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in supporting something.

is hardly able to maintain

Highlights the instability and potential failure in maintaining support.

has difficulty upholding

Emphasizes the challenge in keeping something in a supported state.

finds it hard to provide for

Specifically refers to the difficulty in providing necessary resources.

is stretched to its limits

Suggests that resources or abilities are nearly exhausted.

scarcely manages to keep afloat

Implies a precarious situation where survival is barely achieved.

is on the verge of collapsing

Conveys a sense of imminent failure or inability to continue supporting.

is at breaking point

Indicates that the capacity to support is nearly exceeded and failure is likely.

operates on a shoestring

Describes a situation where minimal resources are available for support.

barely copes with

Highlights a minimal level of coping with something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "can barely support" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "struggles to sustain", "is hardly able to maintain", or "has difficulty upholding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "can barely support" and "can hardly support"?

While both phrases indicate a limited ability to provide support, "can barely support" suggests a slightly greater degree of capability than "can hardly support". The difference is subtle, but "barely" implies a closer margin than "hardly".

What are some common things that "can barely support" something else?

Common examples include infrastructure ("infrastructure") strained by population growth, budgets ("budgets") stretched thin by increasing demands, and natural resources ("natural resources") depleted by overuse.

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

You can use "can barely support" in a sentence to express that something is only able to provide minimal assistance or sustenance. For example: "The old bridge "can barely support" the weight of a single car, making it unsafe for heavy traffic."