could barely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could barely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where something is only just possible or has very limited capacity or extent. Example: "She could barely be heard over the noise of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It could barely be heard.

The New York Times - Sports

They could barely be mistaken for human.

Independent

His luck could barely be more different.

The Guardian - Business

The Bills could barely be lower.

The New York Times - Sports

The "P" and the "H" could barely be detected.

The New York Times - Sports

"The audible alarms could barely be heard," inspectors wrote.

The New York Times - Health

From a foot away, the instrument could barely be heard.

The New Yorker

That challenge could barely be more testing than this.

The Guardian - Sport

Its subject matter could barely be any more timely.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Others became so brittle they could barely be unwound.

The New York Times - Books

White and Perry could barely be more different from one another.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could barely be" to express situations where something is only marginally possible or falls just within a certain limit. For example, "The sound could barely be heard" implies the sound was very faint.

Common error

While "could barely be" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal or academic writing can make the writing sound less precise. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "was nearly impossible" or "was scarcely detectable" to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could barely be" functions as a modal phrase indicating a limited possibility or degree. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and suggests that something is only marginally achievable or detectable. Examples show its versatility in describing faint sounds, minimal differences, or near impossibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could barely be" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate something exists or is possible to a minimal degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely found across various sources, particularly in News & Media. While appropriate for general use, remember that in formal writing, more precise language might enhance clarity. Related phrases like "could scarcely be" or "could hardly be" offer similar meanings, and choosing the right one can fine-tune your expression. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "could barely be" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could scarcely be

Replaces "barely" with "scarcely", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

could hardly be

Substitutes "barely" with "hardly", providing a near-identical meaning and level of intensity.

was just able to be

Rephrases the modal verb construction to emphasize the narrow margin of possibility.

was only just able to be

Adds emphasis on the minimal ability or capacity.

was almost impossible to be

Shifts the focus to the near impossibility of the situation.

was nearly impossible to be

Similar to 'almost impossible', highlighting the high degree of difficulty or improbability.

could with difficulty be

Inverts the structure slightly to emphasize the difficulty involved.

was faintly able to be

Highlights the weak or limited capacity.

was negligibly able to be

Emphasizes how small or insignificant is the capacity or the chance.

approached being impossible

Focuses on the state nearing impossibility, rather than on the existing state.

FAQs

What does "could barely be" mean?

The phrase "could barely be" indicates that something is only just possible or exists to a very small degree. It suggests a situation where something is at the edge of possibility or perception.

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

You can use alternatives like "could scarcely be", "could hardly be", or "was almost impossible to be" depending on the context.

How to use "could barely be" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The signal from the radio transmitter was weak and "could barely be" received."

Is "could barely be" formal or informal?

"Could barely be" is generally considered neutral in tone and appropriate for both informal and formal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly formal writing.