Barely adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Barely adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets the minimum requirements but is not sufficient or satisfactory. Example: "The report was barely adequate, lacking the depth and detail needed for a thorough analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Barely adequate signals outside turn even worse once they must penetrate concrete, metal and multiple walls.

The New York Times

Service was barely adequate.

The New York Times

But that in itself is barely adequate.

Independent

By local standards, my porch is barely adequate.

The New York Times

Blunt knives, of course, were barely adequate for most meats.

The New Yorker

The four-wheel disc brakes, however, feel barely adequate.

The New York Times

"Media consultant" is barely adequate to describe Mr. Schwartz's portfolio.

The New York Times

"Isolationist" seems a barely adequate description for Kennedy's worldview.

The New York Times - Books

The huts were barely adequate to provide shelter from the elements.

The New York Times - Travel

Even in a top hospital, he said, pay levels are barely adequate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For every shining success like the Apache httpd or the LibreOffice suite or the Linux kernel, there are thousands of barely-adequate programs languishing at SourceForge and GitHub.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barely adequate", consider adding context to explain why it's not sufficient. This clarifies the implications of its inadequacy.

Common error

Don't use "barely adequate" when you mean something is completely unsuitable. This phrase indicates a slight deficiency, not a total failure. If something is entirely insufficient, use stronger terms like "unacceptable" or "wholly inadequate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely adequate" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something meets the minimum requirements but is not truly sufficient or satisfactory. Ludwig's analysis confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely adequate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that indicates something meets the minimum requirements but is not truly sufficient. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, with a neutral register. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, serving to express a degree of insufficiency or marginal acceptability. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the implications of its inadequacy and provide appropriate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely sufficient

Synonymous, simply replacing "adequate" with "sufficient".

Hardly sufficient

Replaces "barely" with "hardly", emphasizing the marginal sufficiency.

Just enough

Uses a more straightforward expression of minimal sufficiency.

Minimally acceptable

Focuses on the acceptability aspect, suggesting it barely meets the required standard.

Scarcely sufficient

Similar to "hardly sufficient", highlighting the lack of abundance.

Only just meeting requirements

Emphasizes the act of meeting requirements in a minimal way.

Marginally satisfactory

Focuses on the level of satisfaction, implying it's only just satisfactory.

Meets the minimum

A more direct and literal way of saying it fulfills the least requirements.

Passable at best

Indicates that the quality is only good enough to pass, without excelling.

Tolerable at best

Suggests the situation is barely tolerable and not ideal.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely adequate" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements but is not truly sufficient. For instance, "The funding was barely adequate to cover the project's basic needs."

What are some alternatives to "barely adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly sufficient", "just enough", or "minimally acceptable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "barely adequate" or "barely sufficient"?

"Barely adequate" and "barely sufficient" are largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What does it imply when something is described as "barely adequate"?

It implies that the thing being described only meets the minimum requirements and is likely to be insufficient or unsatisfactory in some way. It suggests there's a need for improvement or a lack of resources.