it was barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was barely" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something was only just or just barely happening or reaching a certain level. Here is an example sentence: "It was barely dawn when we started our hike up the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was barely noticed.

The New York Times

It was barely reported.

Independent

"It was barely holding.

The New Yorker

It was barely 8 o'clock.

The New York Times

It was barely 10am.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was barely noticeable on the mat.

The New York Times - Sports

It was barely changed against the euro.

The New York Times

It was barely 50 degrees and raining.

The New York Times

It was barely a contest.

The Guardian - Sport

It was barely served there.

The New York Times

It was barely a hamlet.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was barely" to convey a sense of something being achieved by a narrow margin or being minimally present. For example, "It was barely enough to cover the expenses."

Common error

While "it was barely" is acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "it was scarcely" or "it was only just" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was barely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates that something almost did not happen, exist, or reach a certain level. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was barely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys a sense of something being achieved by a narrow margin or being minimally present. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts but might benefit from more formal alternatives in certain settings. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media sources, but also finds use in scientific writing. When aiming for precision and formality, consider alternatives like "it was hardly" or "it was scarcely" to enhance your writing's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was hardly

Emphasizes the small degree or amount, similar to 'barely'.

it was just about

Highlights that something almost didn't happen or wasn't achieved.

it was scarcely

Indicates a minimal presence or occurrence, much like 'barely'.

it only just

Focuses on the narrow margin by which something occurred.

it was faintly

Suggests a weak or indistinct quality, similar to something 'barely' perceptible.

it was negligibly

Indicates something is so small it's almost not worth considering.

it was marginally

Highlights that something barely exceeds a threshold or standard.

it was thinly

Suggests a minimal or inadequate covering or presence.

it was scarcely enough

Emphasizes the insufficiency of something, similar to 'barely' being sufficient.

it was little more than

Minimizes the significance or extent of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was barely" to indicate that something was achieved by a very small margin or was only just noticeable. For instance, "It was barely enough to make a difference".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "it was barely"?

Alternatives include "it was hardly", "it was scarcely", or "it only just", all conveying a sense of something being minimal or only just achieved.

Is "it was barely" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was barely" might sound informal in some contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "it was scarcely" or "it was only just" for a more refined tone.

What's the difference between "it was barely" and "it was hardly"?

Both phrases express a minimal degree, but "it was hardly" might imply a stronger sense of something being insufficient or unlikely, while "it was barely" focuses more on the narrowness of the margin by which something occurred.