could barely keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could barely keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in maintaining something, whether it be physical, emotional, or situational. Example: "After running the marathon, I could barely keep my eyes open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

But most could barely keep their balance.

The New York Times

I could barely keep it all straight.

The New York Times - Books

She could barely keep them straight.

The New York Times

He could barely keep a lid on things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now he could barely keep his nose up.

The New Yorker

Her eyelids were so heavy she could barely keep them open.

The New Yorker

Evra could barely keep a straight face as he delivered his assessment of Van Persie's reaction.

Independent

Without proper nourishment, Hamadou could barely keep his eyes open, much less grip an outreached finger.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The insane, eminently quotable one-liners were flying so fast and so furious that I could barely keep up with them".

Wikipedia

She remembers because it was her job to replenish the votive candles and she could barely keep them stocked.

The New York Times

"The company could barely keep its lights on, and then -- boom -- they release this game," Mr. Milne said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where someone is struggling to manage multiple things, consider using "could barely keep" to effectively convey the sense of being overwhelmed. For example: "With the new project and family responsibilities, she "could barely keep" up with her emails".

Common error

Avoid using "could barely keep" when a simpler phrase like "struggled to" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic in situations where the difficulty isn't particularly significant. For example, instead of saying "He "could barely keep" his eyes open during the movie", a more straightforward "He struggled to keep his eyes open during the movie" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could barely keep" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a limited ability to maintain or sustain something. Ludwig examples show it expressing difficulty in maintaining physical balance, emotional composure, or even pace with a task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could barely keep" is a versatile phrase used to express difficulty in maintaining something, be it physical, emotional, or situational. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While it is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where a more direct term would suffice. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "struggled to maintain" or "had a hard time keeping". Understanding these nuances will allow you to effectively integrate "could barely keep" into your writing, enhancing its impact and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost couldn't maintain

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the near impossibility of maintaining.

could scarcely keep

Uses "scarcely" as a more formal synonym for "barely".

had a hard time maintaining

Replaces "barely" with "hard time" focusing on the difficulty of maintaining something.

struggled to maintain

Emphasizes the effort involved in keeping or maintaining something.

found it difficult to keep

Highlights the difficulty experienced while trying to keep something.

was hard-pressed to maintain

Emphasizes the pressure or strain experienced while maintaining something.

narrowly managed to keep

Focuses on the successful, but difficult, act of keeping something.

had trouble holding onto

Specifically suggests difficulty in retaining or possessing something.

had a tough time sustaining

Highlights the challenges involved in sustaining or prolonging something.

was on the verge of losing

Implies that something was nearly lost due to the difficulty in maintaining it.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could barely keep" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "scarcely able to maintain", or "found it difficult to sustain" depending on the context.

What does it mean to say someone "could barely keep" something?

It means they had significant difficulty maintaining or controlling something, often implying they were close to failing or losing control.

Is there a difference between "could barely keep up" and "could hardly keep up"?

The phrases "could barely keep up" and "could hardly keep up" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both indicate a struggle to maintain pace or stay level with something.

Can you provide an example of how to use "could barely keep" in a sentence?

Certainly. An example sentence is: "After the intense workout, I "could barely keep" my balance while walking home."