had barely shifted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had barely shifted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has changed very little or not at all, often in a context of time or movement. Example: "The landscape had barely shifted since the last time I visited, making it feel like no time had passed at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The spreads on other types of debt, such as corporate bonds, had barely shifted.

The Economist

Despite Sturgeon's insistence that the Brexit vote had shifted Scottish opinion, a YouGov poll for the Times Scotland on Friday suggested the figure in favour of independence had barely shifted over the past two years, despite the June referendum.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That scandalous figure has barely shifted.

The Economist

Behind-the-scenes numbers have barely shifted, particularly for directors.

The New Yorker

That position has barely shifted in 20 years.

The Guardian

The gaps in life expectancy and health have barely shifted.

The Guardian - Opinion

In India the rate has barely shifted in two decades of growth.

The Economist

In real terms, the median wage of American workers has barely shifted since the 1970s.

The Economist

After decades of domestic reform, our international ranking has barely shifted.

The Guardian

Her set of solutions to gun violence has barely shifted in 20 years.

The Guardian

It has barely shifted in the index yet claims to be pioneering a new development model in central Africa.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had barely shifted" to describe situations where there has been minimal change over a period, emphasizing stability or lack of progress.

Common error

Avoid using "had barely shifted" when referring to ongoing actions in the present. This phrase is best suited for describing past conditions that have remained largely unchanged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had barely shifted" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of near-immobility or minimal change over time. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable expression, often found describing situations where no significant alteration has occurred. Examples show it being used in contexts like describing opinions, figures, or physical positions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had barely shifted" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's employed to convey a state of minimal change or near-immobility, often in contexts where a significant shift was expected. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its neutral register allows for broader applicability. For alternatives, consider phrases like "had hardly changed" or "had scarcely altered" to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had hardly changed

Emphasizes the lack of alteration, focusing on the idea that almost no change occurred.

had scarcely altered

Similar to 'had hardly changed' but with a slightly more formal tone.

had remained virtually unchanged

Highlights that the situation stayed the same to a very large extent.

had shown little variation

Focuses on the lack of fluctuation or difference over a period.

had not moved much

A more literal way of expressing minimal movement or progress.

had stagnated

Indicates a lack of progress or development, implying a standstill.

had seen minimal progress

Specifically refers to the lack of advancement or forward movement.

had seen negligible change

Emphasizes that the change was so small it's almost insignificant.

had almost not changed

Directly states that there was a very small change and it almost didn't change at all.

had experienced very little change

Highlights that any alterations were minimal or insignificant.

FAQs

How can I use "had barely shifted" in a sentence?

You can use "had barely shifted" to describe a situation where something has changed very little or not at all over time. For example, "Despite the new policies, the unemployment rate "had barely shifted"."

What's a similar phrase to "had barely shifted"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had hardly changed", "had scarcely altered", or "had remained virtually unchanged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had barely shifted" formal or informal?

"Had barely shifted" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.

Can "had barely shifted" be used to describe opinions or feelings?

While it's more commonly used to describe quantifiable data or physical states, "had barely shifted" can be used metaphorically to describe opinions or feelings that have remained relatively constant. For instance, "Her opinion on the matter "had barely shifted" despite the new evidence presented."