was barely touched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was barely touched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has had minimal impact or interaction, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The painting was displayed in the gallery for months, but it was barely touched by visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I was barely touched on the play".

The New York Times - Sports

He bought a keg of beer that was barely touched.

The New York Times

Schools and universities went mostly unreformed; the public administration was barely touched.

The Economist

He was barely touched by the Giants' defense and, in turn, he torched the Giants' season.

The New York Times - Sports

But against the Redskins, Testaverde was barely touched and he was sacked just once.

The New York Times - Sports

It was barely touched on – mentioned only a handful of times in the day's proceeding.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"That was barely touching my permafrost".

The New York Times

And that afternoon, as the last of the golfers finished their rounds, the temperature still was barely touching 100.

The New York Times

Under Sékou Touré, a Marxist isolationist, these riches were barely touched.

The Economist

And his raucous wartime rabble rousers were barely touched on.

The New York Times - Arts

Both places were barely touched by the fighting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was barely touched" to emphasize the lack of significant impact or interaction, whether physical or metaphorical. For example, "The new policy was barely touched during the debate."

Common error

Avoid using "was barely touched" when the active voice is more appropriate and clear. For instance, instead of "The food was barely touched by him", consider "He barely touched the food" to emphasize the subject's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was barely touched" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject received minimal interaction or impact. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its usage in describing physical objects, abstract concepts, or even people.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

6%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was barely touched" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe something that experienced minimal impact or interaction. According to Ludwig AI, its a correct phrase and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news and media sources, highlighting its relevance in conveying a lack of significant effect. While there are several alternatives, such as ""was hardly affected"" or "was almost untouched", the original phrase maintains a clear and direct connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was hardly affected

Emphasizes a lack of significant impact or influence.

was lightly grazed

Suggests a very slight or superficial contact.

was almost untouched

Highlights the state of being nearly pristine or unaffected.

was scarcely affected

Indicates a minimal degree of influence or change.

was marginally impacted

Emphasizes a small degree of influence or change.

was minimally affected

Highlights the limited extent of the impact or influence.

remained virtually intact

Focuses on the preservation and lack of damage.

suffered minimal damage

Directly addresses the extent of damage incurred.

was left nearly untouched

Highlights the state of being nearly pristine or unaffected.

received minimal attention

Indicates a lack of significant consideration or focus.

FAQs

What does "was barely touched" mean?

The phrase "was barely touched" means something experienced very little contact, impact, or change. It suggests a minimal interaction or effect.

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

You can use "was barely touched" to describe something that remained largely unaffected. For example, "The original structure "was hardly affected" by the renovations".

What can I say instead of "was barely touched"?

You can use alternatives like ""was hardly affected"", "was lightly grazed", or "was almost untouched" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was barely touched" or "was minimally affected"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "was barely touched" often implies a more literal or physical lack of interaction, while "was minimally affected" might be used for more abstract or indirect effects.