i can barely keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I can barely keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing difficulty in maintaining something, such as composure, attention, or balance. Example: "After a long day at work, I can barely keep my eyes open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

I can barely keep track".

The New Yorker

I can barely keep up.

The New York Times - Magazine

I can barely keep the feeders full!

Cornell University

"I can barely keep the backlist in stock.

The New York Times - Books

And I can barely keep them for a month.

The New York Times

I can barely keep my jaw from dropping.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I have a four-month-old baby and can barely keep my head above water, but I hope to be brainstorming by September.

The New York Times

I'm ovah this!" When Jenelle finally drinks the detox the next day, she can barely keep it down.

Huffington Post

As a guest on "Party People," the rapper T. I. can barely keep his slick talk in his mouth.

The New York Times - Arts

We can barely keep it stocked with cats".

The New York Times

"They can barely keep up with their e-mail correspondence".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i can barely keep", ensure the context clearly indicates what is difficult to maintain, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional.

Common error

Avoid using "i can barely keep" when the situation implies a complete inability rather than a struggle. "Barely" suggests some effort and minimal success, not complete failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i can barely keep" primarily functions as an expression of difficulty or near-inability to maintain, manage, or continue something. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is found in contexts where the speaker wants to convey a struggle to hold onto something, whether physical, mental, or emotional.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i can barely keep" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey difficulty in maintaining something. Ludwig's analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, shows that this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and academic contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. While versatile, it's essential to use it accurately, reflecting a true struggle rather than a complete inability. Alternatives like "i can scarcely maintain" or "i'm struggling to maintain" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i can scarcely maintain

Replaces "barely" with "scarcely" and "keep" with "maintain", emphasizing the difficulty in holding or continuing something.

i'm struggling to maintain

Shifts the focus to the effort involved in maintaining something, using "struggling" to highlight the difficulty.

i'm finding it hard to keep

Emphasizes the difficulty experienced by the speaker, using "finding it hard" to convey the struggle.

i'm having trouble keeping

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "having trouble" to express the difficulty in maintaining something.

it's a struggle to keep

Shifts the focus to the task itself being difficult, using "it's a struggle" to highlight the challenge.

i'm at my limit trying to keep

Highlights reaching a point where further effort is nearly impossible, using "at my limit" to express exhaustion.

i'm stretched too thin to keep

Emphasizes being overextended and unable to maintain additional responsibilities or demands.

i'm almost unable to keep

Directly states the near inability to maintain something, using "almost unable" to convey the severity.

i'm close to losing my grip

Focuses on the imminent loss of control or ability to maintain something, using "losing my grip" to express the precariousness.

it's nearly impossible for me to keep

Expresses a high degree of difficulty, approaching impossibility, in maintaining something.

FAQs

How can I use "i can barely keep" in a sentence?

You can use "i can barely keep" to express difficulty in maintaining something, such as "I can barely keep my eyes open after working all night" or "I can barely keep up with the latest news".

What's a more formal way to say "i can barely keep"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I can scarcely maintain" or "I am struggling to maintain".

Which is correct, "i can barely keep up" or "i can hardly keep up"?

Both "i can barely keep up" and "i can hardly keep up" are correct and have similar meanings, expressing difficulty in keeping pace or staying current. You can also use alternatives like "i can scarcely keep up".

What can I say instead of "i can barely keep"?

You can use alternatives like "i'm struggling to maintain", "i'm finding it hard to keep", or "it's a struggle to keep" depending on the context.