method is barely capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "method is barely capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a method has limited effectiveness or ability in achieving a certain outcome. Example: "The current method is barely capable of producing reliable results, which is why we need to explore alternative approaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ireland, despite its fierce nationalism, is barely capable of conceiving of itself as a country.

Vice

Maybe I'm just a cynical bastard whose phone is barely capable of sending an SMS at ground level.

Vice

But Brian was barely capable of leading himself, never mind a factionalised family business.

The Guardian

However, he was having difficulty keeping control, and was drinking so heavily that often he was barely capable of performing.

The Guardian - Music

"The sound was in our heads," Morris says, "but the machines were barely capable of doing it.

The Guardian - Music

Paradoxically, Colbert is described as being barely capable of feeding himself as well as being "personally unpleasant".

Wikipedia

Fast-forward to present day, I'm barely capable of ordering a Caramel Frappucino at the Starbucks inside the Louvre.

Huffington Post

The difference between data pretreatment methods is barely observable.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Otilia's best friend, Gabita, is pregnant and barely capable of facing the brute reality of her circumstances.

The New York Times

He looked barely capable of making the weekend cut as his head and heart were clearly scrambled.

Independent

The proposed transform method empowers the detection of FHR from AECG signals where the fetal signal is barely visible.

Biological Procedures Online

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "method is barely capable of", consider the context carefully. It suggests a very limited degree of ability, so ensure this is the intended meaning. If a stronger statement is needed, consider alternatives like "inadequate" or "ineffective".

Common error

Avoid using "method is barely capable of" when the method is completely incapable. This phrase implies some level of function, however minimal. Use alternatives like "unable to" or "incapable of" when there's no functional capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "method is barely capable of" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (method). It indicates the degree to which a particular method possesses the ability to perform a task or achieve a desired outcome, emphasizing its limited functionality. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "method is barely capable of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that a method has a limited ability or effectiveness. While confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news, media, scientific, and wiki contexts and has a neutral register. When writing, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the limited capability and consider stronger alternatives if the method is truly incapable. Related alternatives include "method is hardly able to" and "method is only just capable of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

method is hardly able to

Replaces "barely capable" with "hardly able", conveying a similar sense of limited ability.

method is only just capable of

Substitutes "barely capable" with "only just capable", emphasizing the narrow margin of capability.

method is minimally effective at

Replaces "barely capable of" with "minimally effective at", focusing on the effectiveness of the method.

method struggles to

Uses "struggles to" instead of "is barely capable of", highlighting the difficulty the method faces.

method has limited capacity to

Emphasizes the limited capacity rather than capability, offering a nuanced perspective.

method is inadequate for

Replaces "barely capable of" with "inadequate for", indicating a lack of suitability.

method falls short of

Uses "falls short of" to convey that the method does not fully achieve the desired outcome.

method is on the edge of being able to

Expresses a sense of precarious capability, highlighting the marginal nature of the method's ability.

method can scarcely

Uses "scarcely" to emphasize the difficulty and limited nature of the method's ability.

method is pushing its limits to

Indicates the method is operating at or beyond its maximum capacity.

FAQs

What does "method is barely capable of" mean?

It means that a particular method has a very limited ability or effectiveness in achieving a specific outcome. It suggests that the method is only just able to perform the task, and may not do so reliably or effectively.

How can I use "method is barely capable of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where a particular approach or technique has limited functionality. For example, "The current "method is barely capable of" producing reliable results, which is why we need to explore alternative approaches".

What can I say instead of "method is barely capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "method is hardly able to", "method is only just capable of", or "method struggles to" depending on the specific context.

Is "method is barely capable of" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase ""method is barely capable of"" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used and accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.