Hardly sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hardly sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely enough or insufficient for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The funding provided for the project was hardly sufficient to cover the necessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hardly sufficient to make me want one, and if I did, it wouldn't be until January when it shipped.

Forbes

Necessary, perhaps, but hardly sufficient.

The Economist

This is a start but hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

The genes or the gods alone are hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

That is hardly sufficient for a system that needs strong new checks and balances.

The New York Times

However, research has shown that feedback by itself is hardly sufficient.

Energy Research & Social Science

And if terrorism is the concern, then exclusion from the conference is hardly sufficient punishment.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is pretty unconvincing: gender politics are hardly sufficient to explain Kerry's catastrophic tactical blunders.

The Guardian - Books

"Could have been" is hardly sufficient when the standard of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt".

The New Yorker

The American contribution, though immense, was hardly sufficient, and hardly alone.

The New Yorker

But this is hardly sufficient to warrant an extension to men in general.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly sufficient", ensure that the context clearly defines what standard or requirement is not being met. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly sufficient" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "completely inadequate" or "entirely insufficient". "Hardly sufficient" implies a marginal shortfall, not a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly sufficient" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is barely enough or inadequate. It often serves to express a deficiency or shortcoming. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly sufficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase, primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. It serves to express that something is barely adequate or inadequate for a particular purpose, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is clear regarding what is lacking and to avoid overstating the degree of insufficiency. Alternatives like "barely adequate" or "scarcely enough" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely adequate

Emphasizes the minimal level of acceptability; slightly weaker.

Scarcely enough

Highlights the limited quantity or degree.

Not quite sufficient

A more literal rephrasing, maintaining a similar tone.

Far from enough

Highlights the significant gap between what is available and what is needed.

In no way adequate

Strongly emphasizes the lack of suitability or sufficiency.

Pathetically inadequate

Adds a layer of criticism or disappointment regarding the insufficiency.

Woefully lacking

Emphasizes a severe deficiency.

Significantly deficient

Highlights that it's notably short of what is needed.

Lacking in substance

Points out the absence of essential qualities.

Falls far short

Indicates a failure to reach the desired level or standard.

FAQs

How to use "hardly sufficient" in a sentence?

Use "hardly sufficient" to describe something that is barely enough but ultimately inadequate for a specific purpose. For example: "The budget allocated was "hardly sufficient" to complete the project successfully."

What can I say instead of "hardly sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "barely adequate", "scarcely enough", or "not quite sufficient" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "hardly sufficient" or "hardly sufficient enough"?

"Hardly sufficient" is the correct and more concise phrase. Adding "enough" is redundant because "sufficient" already implies enough.

What's the difference between "hardly sufficient" and "insufficient"?

"Hardly sufficient" suggests something is just barely meeting the minimum requirement, whereas "insufficient" indicates a clearer and more pronounced lack of what is needed. "Insufficient" expresses a stronger degree of inadequacy than ""hardly sufficient"".