you can barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you can barely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is difficult to do or perceive, often implying that it is almost impossible. Example: "You can barely see the stars in the city due to the light pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added that in contemporary Syrian television and film "you can barely even show a kiss".

The New York Times

"Sometimes you can barely walk.

The New York Times - Sports

You can barely fit.

The New Yorker

You can barely move.

MIT Technology Review

You can barely see it.

The New Yorker

You can barely see his face.

The New York Times - Sports

You can barely buy a sandwich.

The Guardian

You can barely see the police".

The New York Times

You can barely tell them apart'.

The Guardian - Books

You can barely give them away.

The Guardian - Money

Sometimes even with sunglasses you can barely manage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "you can barely", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or perception is being limited. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a near-impossibility or a severe restriction.

Common error

Avoid using "you can barely" when the action is merely difficult, not nearly impossible. Using a less emphatic phrase will maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you can barely" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing the degree to which an action or perception is possible. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is used to show that something is difficult to do or perceive. Examples from Ludwig show that "you can barely see" something or "you can barely move".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "you can barely" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is only just possible or nearly impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Grammatically, it functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing a limitation or difficulty. While "you can hardly" and "you can scarcely" serve as near-synonyms, it's essential to ensure the context warrants the degree of difficulty implied by the phrase. Steer clear of overstating a situation, and opt for a less emphatic expression to guarantee credibility and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you can hardly

Uses 'hardly' instead of 'barely', providing a very close synonym with minimal change in meaning or impact.

you can scarcely

Replaces 'barely' with 'scarcely', another near-synonym that implies a minimal amount or degree.

you almost can't

Expresses the idea of near impossibility using 'almost can't', which is slightly more emphatic than 'barely'.

it's nearly impossible to

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of the action, using a more formal tone.

it's a struggle to

Highlights the effort required, suggesting difficulty rather than outright impossibility.

it's tough to

Uses a more informal term, 'tough', to convey the difficulty of performing the action.

you're unlikely to

Changes the emphasis to the low probability of success rather than the difficulty.

you'd be hard-pressed to

Indicates that finding a way to do something would be very challenging or require significant effort.

it's a long shot

Implies a very low chance of success, emphasizing the improbability of the outcome.

it's on the edge of possibility

Emphasizes that something is only just possible, close to being impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "you can barely" in a sentence?

The phrase "you can barely" is used to express that something is difficult to do or perceive. For example, "you can barely see the stars in the city because of light pollution".

What can I say instead of "you can barely"?

You can use alternatives like "you can hardly", "you can scarcely", or "you almost can't" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "you can barely"?

Yes, "you can barely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to indicate that something is only just possible or nearly impossible. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Which is correct, "you can barely" or "you can't barely"?

"You can barely" is correct. "You can't barely" is redundant because "barely" already implies a negative condition. Avoid using double negatives for clarity.