could barely stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could barely stand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is struggling to maintain their balance or composure, often due to exhaustion, illness, or emotional distress. Example: "After the long hike, I was so tired that I could barely stand without leaning against a tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He could barely stand.

The New York Times

By game's end, Tebow could barely stand.

The New York Times - Sports

"I could barely stand up," he said.

The New York Times

I could barely stand or walk.

The New York Times - Science

I could barely stand to look at her afterward.

The New York Times - Magazine

The shocks and beatings meant that he could barely stand.

The Economist

He was vomiting and could barely stand up.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

One day, her C-section incision was so inflamed by the drive that she could barely stand.

The New York Times

The kid could barely stand.

The New Yorker

By the time I arrived at the clinic I was typically so demoralized I could barely stand.

The New York Times - Books

"The pressure was so great that I could barely stand it," Mr. Peng said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could barely stand" to vividly depict physical weakness, exhaustion, or the impact of external forces. It adds a sense of immediacy and emphasizes the struggle to maintain balance or composure.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid using "could barely stand" excessively in formal academic or professional writing where a more clinical or detached tone might be preferred. Opt for alternatives like "experienced significant postural instability" for greater formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could barely stand" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a verb modifier. It conveys a state of extreme physical weakness or instability, indicating that the subject had significant difficulty maintaining an upright position. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could barely stand" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a state of extreme physical weakness or instability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings where more clinical language may be preferred. Alternatives like ""could hardly stand"" or ""was on the verge of collapsing"" can offer subtle variations in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could hardly stand

Emphasizes the difficulty in standing, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different word choice.

could scarcely stand

Uses "scarcely" to convey the minimal ability to stand, maintaining the core meaning.

was on the verge of collapsing

Shifts the focus to the imminence of collapse due to weakness, offering a more dramatic tone.

was struggling to stand

Highlights the effort involved in standing, emphasizing the difficulty.

could barely keep upright

Focuses on maintaining an upright position, adding a slightly different perspective.

was finding it hard to stand

Emphasizes the subjective experience of difficulty in standing.

was almost unable to stand

Expresses near inability to stand, conveying a high degree of difficulty.

had difficulty standing

Indicates a general problem with standing, suitable for describing a chronic condition.

could only just stand

Highlights the minimal ability to stand, emphasizing the precariousness of the situation.

was feeble on their feet

Shifts the focus to overall feebleness affecting the ability to stand, adding a broader context.

FAQs

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

This phrase describes a state of extreme weakness or instability. For example: "After running the marathon, she "could barely stand"." It can also describe emotional distress.

What are some alternatives to "could barely stand"?

You can use alternatives like "could hardly stand", "was on the verge of collapsing", or "was struggling to stand" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could barely stand"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used and understood.

What does it mean when someone says they "could barely stand" something?

While the primary meaning refers to physical instability, it can also express a strong dislike or intolerance, similar to saying "I "could barely tolerate" it".