had barely started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had barely started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has just begun or has only recently commenced, often implying that there is still a long way to go. Example: "By the time the meeting began, we had barely started discussing the main agenda items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the US, it had barely started.

The Guardian - Film

She had barely started when Ms. Cook stopped her.

The New York Times - Arts

Wimbledon had barely started, and the tour's latest stars had both bitten the dust.

The New York Times - Magazine

The morning shift had barely started inside Rana Plaza on April 24 when the building buckled.

The New York Times

"I just had barely started practicing two days prior to that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

a. Tell them everything is fine and you had barely started preparing.

The Telegraph

At that point, development on the new game had barely started.

The Guardian - Tech

Worshipers had barely started to arrive when word of the accident emptied the pews.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But reconstruction has barely started.

The New York Times

LIB: We've barely started.

The New York Times

And I've barely started.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had barely started" to effectively convey that an event or action was interrupted or significantly altered shortly after its commencement. It's most impactful when implying a contrast between initial expectations and subsequent outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "had barely started" when simply describing the beginning of a process without any significant interruption or unexpected change. Opt for simpler phrases like "just started" or "began" to prevent unnecessary complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had barely started" functions as a verb phrase indicating that an action or event has only just commenced and is in its initial stages. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. It sets the stage for describing subsequent events or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Sport

9%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had barely started" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something has only just begun. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It effectively communicates the recency and incompleteness of an action, often implying an interruption or unexpected change. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone suitable for objective reporting. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the preliminary stage of an action or event and its subsequent alteration. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overuse in situations where a simple "just started" would suffice. With these guidelines, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "had barely started" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had scarcely begun

Emphasizes the minimal progress made at the beginning of an action.

had barely initiated

Similar to "had scarcely begun", focusing on the minimal progress made at the beginning of an action

had barely gotten underway

Similar to the original phrase, focusing on the commencement of a process.

had just commenced

Highlights the recent initiation of an event.

was only just starting

Simple alternative focusing on the start of an action.

had only just begun

Underscores the limited amount of time passed since the start.

had only just kick off

Simple alternative focusing on the start of an action.

hadn't even properly started

Indicates that the beginning was incomplete or not fully realized.

was in its infancy

Emphasizes the very early developmental stage of something.

had only just initiated

Focuses on the act of initiating something with minimal progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "had barely started" to describe an action that was interrupted or changed soon after it began. For example, "The meeting "had barely started" when the fire alarm rang".

What are some alternatives to "had barely started"?

Alternatives include "had just begun", "had scarcely begun", or "had only just started". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "had barely started" or "had just started"?

"Had barely started" implies a greater sense of interruption or premature ending compared to "had just started". "Had just started" simply indicates the recent beginning of something.

What's the difference between "had barely started" and "hadn't even started"?

"Had barely started" means something did begin, but only to a minimal extent. "Hadn't even started" means something did not begin at all.