was barely used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was barely used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something was not heavily used or relied on. For example: The emergency exit that was barely used during the evacuation drill quickly became clogged with panicked passengers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

About a decade ago the word internships was barely used in a British context.

The Guardian

The program was barely used until anti-immigrant fervor became white-hot over the last decade.

The New York Times

PENN has not always been so forward-thinking; a decade ago, the L.G.B.T. Center (nestled amid fraternity houses) was barely used.

The New York Times

As to place names and their implications, Lewis notes correctly that the name Palestine was barely used in the place itself between antiquity and the 20th century.

The New York Times - Books

On the subject of individualization, he found that the word "preferences" was barely used until about 1930, but usage has surged since.

The New York Times

The BBSA spent over £500,000 on a hugely-hyped McLaren-designed bobsleigh which it believed could bring it to Olympic success – yet the sled was barely used because it is considered by riders to be sub-standard.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's barely used.

The Guardian

However, it is barely used at present because it occasionally incurs numerical instabilities and convergence difficulties.

Journal of Hydrology

The parking lots were barely used for what they were intended.

The Guardian - Sport

But then, many residential pavements near me are barely used outside certain times.

The Guardian

THERE were barely used Manolo Blahnik shoes, some selling for as little as $50.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To show that a resource or facility wasn't needed or popular, use the phrase to express it was provided or available, but there was a little requirement for its use.

Common error

Avoid assuming a negative connotation when something "was barely used". It may not always indicate failure. It could also mean the item or service was high-quality, making frequent repairs or replacements unnecessary, or that conditions improved, reducing the need.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was barely used" functions as a stative descriptor, indicating a state of low or minimal usage. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe facilities, technologies, or concepts that saw limited application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was barely used" is a grammatically sound and frequently encountered phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in English writing. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science, serving to describe items or concepts that saw limited or infrequent usage. Related phrases include "was scarcely utilized" and "infrequently employed". When employing this phrase, consider its potential implications, and remember that minimal use doesn't necessarily equate to failure. This phrase is versatile across a variety of sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scarcely utilized

Replaces "barely" with "scarcely", emphasizing minimal usage.

was infrequently employed

Substitutes "used" with "employed" and "barely" with "infrequently", denoting rare application.

saw limited application

Emphasizes the restriction in its application or employment.

experienced minimal use

Focuses on the degree of usage being very low.

remained largely untouched

Implies that something was available but not actively used.

was seldom brought into play

Replaces "used" with the more figurative "brought into play", highlighting infrequent activation.

was sparingly applied

Emphasizes the cautious and limited manner in which something was used.

had little practical application

Shifts focus to the lack of real-world use.

was kept mostly idle

Implies that something was available but not in operation.

did not see significant action

Focuses on the lack of activity or engagement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was barely used" to indicate infrequent usage?

You can use alternatives like "was scarcely utilized", "was infrequently employed", or "saw limited application" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was rarely used" instead of "was barely used"?

Yes, "was rarely used" is a suitable alternative to "was barely used", both indicating infrequent or uncommon usage. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "was barely used"?

When something "was barely used", it implies that it existed or was available but was utilized to a minimal extent or almost not at all. The reasons for this could vary widely, from ineffectiveness to lack of need.

What's the difference between "was barely used" and "was never used"?

"Was barely used" suggests there were a few instances of usage, whereas "was never used" implies that something wasn't utilized even once. The former is more nuanced than the latter.