would barely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would barely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where something is only slightly or minimally true or applicable. Example: "If we continue at this pace, we would barely be able to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

– Small businesses would barely be affected.

University of California, Berkeley

Their mother said she would barely be able to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

Such wacky weather would barely be noticed if this were not the Winter Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

It would  barely be noticeable," said Mr Harsson, 75, speaking to the Norweigian website, The Local.

Independent

The fees would barely be enough to cover the companies' costs.

The New York Times

In a non-Meyer place this would barely be worth noting.

The New York Times - Magazine

The timing of a victory would barely be sweeter, given Messi's recent personal and professional problems.

The Guardian - Sport

Alone, this would barely be enough to survive on, let alone live comfortably.

The Guardian - Opinion

But 200 peacekeepers would barely be enough to patrol a quarrelsome village in bellicose Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Now, what I paid for that whole house would barely be enough for a deposit.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You'd barely be able to tell one scene of hushed solemnity from another.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would barely be", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard or expectation is not being adequately met. This provides a stronger contrast and highlights the minimal level being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "would barely be" when a stronger negative expression is more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can dilute your message if the situation warrants a more forceful depiction of absence or inadequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would barely be" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a conditional state of near absence or minimal existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used. It modifies a verb, expressing a hypothetical scenario where something is only marginally present or true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would barely be" is a versatile and grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express that something is only marginally true or present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing and wiki articles. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what standard is not being met and avoid overuse to maintain the impact of your message. Consider related phrases like "would hardly be" or "would scarcely be" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would scarcely be

Synonymous replacement with a slightly more formal tone.

would hardly be

A direct synonym, indicating a small degree or amount.

would just be

Indicates a minimal level or degree.

would only be

Emphasizes the limited extent or degree.

would scarcely exist

Focuses on the near non-existence of something.

would nearly not be

Highlights the close proximity to non-existence.

would almost not be

Similar to 'nearly not be', indicating a very small chance of existing.

would insignificantly be

Emphasizes the lack of significance or impact.

would negligibly be

Focuses on the negligible or unnoticeable amount.

would essentially not be

Highlights a state of virtual non-existence.

FAQs

How can I use "would barely be" in a sentence?

You can use "would barely be" to indicate a minimal level or degree. For example, "The impact of the change "would barely be noticeable"" or "The funds "would barely be enough" to cover the costs".

What phrases are similar to "would barely be"?

Similar phrases include "would hardly be", "would scarcely be", or "would just be", which all convey a sense of something being minimally sufficient or present.

Is "would barely be" formal or informal?

"Would barely be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "would barely be" and "wouldn't be"?

"Would barely be" suggests something exists or is true to a minimal extent, while "wouldn't be" indicates a complete absence or impossibility. For example, "The effect "would barely be noticeable"" implies some effect is present, while "The effect "would not be noticeable"" suggests no effect is present at all.