BARELY in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Barely

Have you ever struggled to express the idea that something was done with only the minimum amount required? This concept can be conveyed using the term “barely.” When you want to emphasize that an action or achievement was just above the threshold or limit, “barely” is the perfect word to use.

Commonly used in English to indicate that something was done with difficulty or narrowly met a standard, “barely” adds a layer of emphasis or intensity to your statement. Whether describing a close call, a nearly missed opportunity, or a task completed with the slightest margin of success, “barely” is a versatile word that effectively conveys a sense of nearness or limitation in your communication.

7 Examples Of Barely Used In a Sentence For Kids

1. I barely touched the soft toy.
2. The flower was barely peeking out of the ground.
3. I can barely see the bird in the sky.
4. The baby was barely able to crawl.
5. The cat barely missed catching the mouse.
6. I barely heard the sound of the bell.
7. The little fish was barely swimming in the pond.

14 Sentences with Barely Examples

• Barely had I started my assignment when the power went out.
• I barely had time to grab breakfast before my morning lecture.
• She barely made it to the library before it closed for the day.
• The professor spoke so softly that I could barely hear them from the back of the room.
• I barely passed my last exam, so I need to study harder for the next one.
• Barely anyone showed up for the group study session.
• I barely had enough money left in my account to buy a cup of coffee.
• The deadline for the research paper is approaching, and I’ve barely started working on it.
• I barely managed to get a seat in the crowded cafeteria.
• She barely had time to sleep between all her classes and extracurricular activities.
• My roommate barely speaks to me since our last argument.
• He barely passed the exam, but was relieved nonetheless.
• I barely have time to eat between classes and work.
• I barely understand the concepts in my physics class and need extra help.

How To Use Barely in Sentences?

Barely is used to indicate that something has happened only to a small degree or almost not at all. For beginners, it’s important to note that barely is an adverb, which means it modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in a sentence.

Here’s a simple guide on how to use barely in a sentence:
1. Position in a sentence: Barely is usually placed before the main verb in a sentence or at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
– Example: “She barely passed the exam.” / “Barely, she managed to finish her assignment on time.”

2. Comma usage: When barely is used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, it is common to follow it with a comma.

   • Example: “Barely, I had enough time to catch the bus.”

3. Negative context: Barely is often used in negative contexts to convey that something was just good enough or nearly did not happen.

   • Example: “He barely noticed her presence at the party.”

4. Use in questions: You can also use barely in questions to express surprise or doubt about the degree of something.

   • Example: “Did she barely make it to the meeting on time?”

Remember, barely is used to emphasize that something was almost not the case or happened to a very small extent. By following these simple guidelines, you can effectively incorporate barely into your sentences with confidence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sentences with “barely” indicate a situation where something is done with just enough of something to be minimally successful, satisfactory, or sufficient. Whether it’s describing someone’s ability to complete a task, their financial situation, or the quantity of something available, “barely” conveys a sense of limitation, scarcity, or difficulty. These sentences highlight the precarious nature of the subject’s circumstances, emphasizing that they are just managing to achieve or maintain something, often with little margin for error or improvement.

By using “barely” in sentences, writers effectively convey a sense of struggle, fragility, or nearness to failure or insufficiency. This word adds depth and nuance to the description, painting a vivid picture of a scenario that is hanging by a thread or teetering on the edge of adequacy.