What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
barely
Example
I barely had enough money to pay for my lunch. [barely: adverb]
Example
She barely spoke during the meeting, staying quiet most of the time. [barely: adverb]
scarcely
Example
There was scarcely any food left in the fridge, so we had to go grocery shopping. [scarcely: adverb]
Example
He scarcely goes out at night, preferring to stay home and relax. [scarcely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barely is more commonly used than scarcely in everyday language. Barely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scarcely is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between barely and scarcely?
While barely is typically associated with a neutral and informal tone, scarcely is more formal and can be used in more academic or professional settings.
