it barely functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it barely functional" is not correct in English.
It should be "it is barely functional" or "barely functional" depending on the context. You can use it to describe something that is not working properly or is only functioning at a minimal level. Example: "The old printer is barely functional, often jamming and producing poor-quality prints."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sambuli recently took Kenya's service for a spin and found it "barely functional" with "kinks and pages missing".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With its barely functional government and a fierce hostility to foreign armies since the hasty American withdrawal from Mogadishu in the early 1990s, Somalia is a country where Western militaries have long feared to tread.

The New York Times

The assembly might fall but it will be built right back up again: the Northern Ireland executive is a zombie government that it is barely functional at the best of times, operating without an opposition or the ability to be rejected in an election, but continually shored up by the British and Irish governments because it is, like the banks, "too big to fail".

The Guardian - Opinion

Shell, the largest single operator, has closed its Western operations entirely, and its Eastern operations are barely functional.

Huffington Post

There was also a barely functional prototype, but it ran so poorly that Carmichael used film footage of Clifft scampering around the dry lake at El Mirage in his original three-wheeler.

The New York Times

Filmed on the Isle of Man, a rugged, windswept mass on the Irish Sea, the movie eddies around the barely functional Fischer family and its cliffside hotel on the south coast of England.

The New York Times

(Actually, having to drink 16 cans of strong lager, 33 shots of gin or three bottles of wine every single day would tip the majority of attendees into only barely functional alcoholism within the year – or at least it did with me. This state of affairs would lead to a two tiered society.

Vice

He saw a state that had become barely functional, and he set about restoring its authority the only way he knew how: manually, and from the top.

The New Yorker

But by the time Loiseau arrived, in 1975, the kitchen was barely functional and the restaurant had lost all its stars.

The New Yorker

It is difficult for surgeons to know which patients might recover and which are likely to be left barely functional.

The New York Times - Science

You're barely functional.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a verb (like "is", "was", or "seems") when describing the state of something's functionality to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "It is barely functional" is correct.

Common error

Avoid omitting the verb when you mean "it is" or "it was". Saying "It barely functional" makes the sentence grammatically incomplete and less clear. Always include the verb to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a predicate adjective describing the state of a subject (usually "it"). It indicates that something is operating at a minimal or nearly insufficient level. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically incorrect when omitting the verb "is".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it barely functional" is grammatically incorrect as it omits the necessary verb "is". As Ludwig AI points out, this impacts clarity and correctness. While understandable, it's better to use phrases like "it is barely functional" or alternatives such as "it hardly works". This phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. Always ensure your sentences are grammatically complete to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is barely functional

Adds the missing verb "is" to make the sentence grammatically correct.

It's hardly functional

Uses "hardly" as an alternative adverb, implying a similar lack of functionality.

It's almost non-functional

Emphasizes the extreme lack of functionality.

It scarcely works

Replaces "barely functional" with a verb-based phrase.

It is minimally functional

Uses "minimally" to convey a state of functioning at the lowest level.

It's operating at a minimal level

Expresses the idea with a more descriptive phrase.

It's practically unusable

Focuses on the implication that the item cannot be readily used.

It functions poorly

Highlights the low quality of functionality.

It's on the verge of being broken

Suggests the item is close to ceasing to function at all.

It's impaired

Implies a diminished functionality due to damage or defect.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it barely functional"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "it is barely functional" or "it was barely functional", depending on the tense you want to convey. The original phrase omits a necessary verb.

What does "barely functional" mean?

"Barely functional" describes something that is working, but only at a minimal level. It implies that the thing in question may not be reliable or effective.

What can I say instead of "it barely functional"?

You could use phrases like "it is hardly functional", "it scarcely works", or "it is almost non-functional" to convey a similar meaning with correct grammar.

Is "barely functional" a formal or informal expression?

"Barely functional" is a relatively neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it's often better to use more precise language in formal writing to avoid ambiguity.