it barely matters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it barely matters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is of little significance or importance in a given context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, it barely matters whether we finish this project today or tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

It barely matters.

The New York Times - Arts

But it barely matters.

The Guardian - Film

But, at this stage, it barely matters.

The Economist

And, at the moment, it barely matters.

The New Yorker

At one level it barely matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Traffic moves so slowly that it barely matters when pedestrians lurch into it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

In those days, as perhaps in these, it barely mattered.

The Economist

It barely mattered if Donald Trump or Donald Duck sat in the Oval Office, he said.

The Guardian

The north African spicing was a little meek, but it barely mattered.

The Guardian - Travel

It barely mattered, because the entire debacle confirmed the enduring rule of Celebrity Charity Maths.

The Guardian - Opinion

After that he lost his way a little, but it barely mattered: he had changed popular culture indelibly.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it barely matters" to downplay the significance of a detail that might otherwise seem important. This can help focus attention on more crucial aspects of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "it barely matters" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound dismissive or uninterested. Instead, vary your language to express different degrees of unimportance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it barely matters" functions as an evaluative expression, diminishing the significance of a particular detail or situation. Ludwig AI examples confirm this use across varied contexts, emphasizing the minimal impact of the subject in question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it barely matters" is a useful tool for diminishing the importance of a detail or situation, allowing writers to focus on more critical aspects of a topic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "it barely matters" is a strong, effective expression, overuse should be avoided to prevent a dismissive tone. Alternatives such as "it hardly matters" or "it's of little consequence" can provide variety. Remember to use "it barely matters" judiciously to maintain a balanced and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it hardly matters

Emphasizes the insignificance of something to a slightly greater degree.

it's of little consequence

More formal and emphasizes the lack of importance.

it's not really important

Directly states the lack of importance.

it's of minor importance

Highlights the slight degree of relevance.

it's practically irrelevant

Stresses the lack of relevance in a practical sense.

it's almost inconsequential

Indicates something is close to having no effect or importance.

it's not a big deal

Informal way to express that something is not problematic or significant.

it's beside the point

Suggests something is not relevant to the current discussion or situation.

it's neither here nor there

Indicates something is irrelevant and unimportant.

it's not worth considering

Suggests something should not be taken into account.

FAQs

How can I use "it barely matters" in a sentence?

Use "it barely matters" to indicate that something is of little to no importance in a specific context. For example: "The exact date is uncertain, but "it barely matters"; the key thing is the overall trend."

What are some alternatives to "it barely matters"?

You can use alternatives such as "it hardly matters", "it's of little consequence", or "it's not really important" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it barely matters" and "it doesn't matter"?

"It doesn't matter" is a stronger statement indicating something is completely irrelevant. "It barely matters" suggests something has minimal importance but might still be a factor, however small.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "it barely matters"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge something exists or happened, but its impact or importance is so minimal it should not significantly affect the outcome or decision. It helps to streamline focus on key details by mentioning it once, but also suggesting it isn't worth dwelling on.