THE WORD BARELY .

Question

"I barely started downloading the program"My friend says that I'm not using the "barely" word right... is this true?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Anonymous"I barely started downloading the program"

It's okay by me.

If the process is still underway, I'd use the present perfect: I have barely started etc.

If there was an interruption, I'd use the past perfect:
I had barely started downloading the program when we suffered a power outage.

In the simple past, you could say, I barely loaded the first line of code.
I suppose "I barely started" could be challenged as casual.

In a very technical sense, using very strict definitions, it could be called incorrect.
But the usage is certainly common.

Strictly speaking, a thing starts at one particular instant in time. Either it has started or it hasn't.
By this definition, it would be incorrect to say, "The game is just starting."

It's in the starting phase. Is there such a thing? I suppose so.

Some might even challenge, "I guess we'd better get started."

Did your friend tell you on what grounds he was objecting to your usage?

THE WORD BARELY .

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