is barely sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is barely sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something meets the minimum requirements but is not enough to be considered adequate or satisfactory. Example: "The funding provided for the project is barely sufficient to cover the basic expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A lifetime is barely sufficient".

The Guardian - Sport

260 seats is barely sufficient for Labour or the Tories to form a credible minority government.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, current software configuration management tools use a file-based data model that is barely sufficient to manipulate source code.

Science of Computer Programming

The Sentry has also undertaken an assessment of Sudan's anti-money laundering framework, and our report coming in the near future will show that the system is barely sufficient to meet international standards on paper, and far more concerning in practice.

The Guardian - Opinion

In my view, Microsoft's statement is barely sufficient.

Forbes

The amount of copper in use is increasing and the quantity available is barely sufficient to allow all countries to reach developed world levels of usage.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So they did, complaining that their pay was barely sufficient to stave off starvation.

The New York Times

Data for filter feeders suggest that, in certain cases, continuous filtration at maximal rates may be barely sufficient to support normal growth and maintenance.

Britannica

The profits of his father's photo- graphy business were barely sufficient to support two adults and four children, and the family lived in two rooms in bitter poverty.

The Guardian

"Allowances are barely sufficient to cover our costs as it is and any reduction in the overall quantum will, I think, deter able candidates from putting themselves forward as members of parliament in the first place," Luff wrote.

The Guardian

The report says they described conditions that matched the Victorian definition of sweated labour: "when earnings were barely sufficient to sustain existence, hours of labour were such as to make lives of workers periods of ceaseless toil; and conditions were injurious to the health of workers and dangerous to the public".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a stronger term might be more appropriate if you want to convey a sense of inadequacy. While "is barely sufficient" indicates the minimum is met, it doesn't emphasize the need for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "is barely sufficient" when something clearly falls short of meeting the requirement. This phrase implies a narrow margin of adequacy, not a complete failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is barely sufficient" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something meets the minimum requirements or standards, with little or no margin for error. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is barely sufficient" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that something meets the minimum requirement but is not fully adequate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most commonly found in science, news, and formal business contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While the phrase indicates adequacy, it also implies a potential for deficiency or a need for improvement. Alternatives include phrases like "is scarcely adequate" or "is minimally acceptable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is scarcely adequate

Replaces 'barely sufficient' with 'scarcely adequate', emphasizing the marginal nature of the sufficiency.

is borderline adequate

Uses 'borderline' to express that the level of sufficiency is on the edge of acceptability.

is minimally acceptable

Substitutes 'barely sufficient' with 'minimally acceptable', focusing on meeting the lowest standard.

is just enough

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the narrow margin by which something suffices.

is only just adequate

Adds 'only just' to emphasize the marginal sufficiency.

is only marginal

Indicates that the level of sufficiency is small or insignificant.

is at the lower limit

Highlights that the state is in the bottom level of the scope.

is cutting it close

Uses an idiom to suggest that something barely meets the requirement.

is scraping by

Implies a situation where something manages to achieve a goal with minimal resources.

is hardly up to par

Replaces 'barely sufficient' with 'hardly up to par', indicating a failure to reach the desired level.

FAQs

How can I use "is barely sufficient" in a sentence?

Use "is barely sufficient" to describe situations where something meets the absolute minimum requirement, but there's little room to spare. For example: "The budget allocated for the project is barely sufficient to cover basic expenses."

What phrases can I use instead of "is barely sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "is scarcely adequate", "is minimally acceptable", or "is just enough" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "is barely sufficient" and "is insufficient"?

"Is barely sufficient" suggests that something meets the minimum requirement, while "is insufficient" means it does not meet the requirement at all. The first implies adequacy by a slim margin, while the latter implies a deficit.

Is "is barely sufficient" formal or informal?

"Is barely sufficient" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly formal writing. Its formality also depends on what you're writing and who you're writing for.