Insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not enough or inadequate in quantity, quality, or degree. Example: "The report was deemed insufficient to support the claims made in the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An insufficient number of police were deployed to Mare Street and Clarence Road, offering futile attempts to contain the anger of a vast number of youths, the source of which remains unknown.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Abbott government has said it will provide only $3.2bn for Direct Action – an amount independent modelling has found will be insufficient to meet even a 5% target – and no more money will be forthcoming.

The Guardian

There was insufficient time to pursue with the prime minister the possible Australian political analogies of a plotline in which a leader apparently set for a long reign is cut down prematurely.

The Guardian

But this time, reformers are growing more confident of also convincing the Senate to back the legislation after strong support in recent days from the White House, intelligence agency leaders and a US federal appeals court – even as major civil libertarian groups have decried the bill as insufficient reform.

The Guardian

However, it was also a failing on the part of its members, who cut its funding and have put insufficient emphasis on building sustainable health systems in developing countries," its report said.

The Guardian

But Sinn Féin and the SDLP exercised a veto known as the "petition of concern" where bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for the law.

The Guardian

Health programmes for diseases such as malaria and TB are in vogue, but investment in health workers remains insufficient to meet the needs of local populations.

The Guardian

Initial attempts to extradite Aswat had been blocked in April 2013 by ECHR judges solely on the grounds of the severity of his illness and that there were insufficient guarantees about the accommodation and treatment available to him under detention in the US.

The Guardian

The tribunal however could find insufficient evidence to charge him with the serious administration, or attempted administration charges with respect to Thymosin Beta 4. That ruling is in line with the decision by the tribunal in March to clear all 34 players associated with the program.

The Guardian - Sport

It was vetoed jointly by Sinn Féin and the nationalist SDLP which deployed a "petition of concern" under which bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for a law.

The Guardian

The policies to be sketched out here will prove insufficient.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient", clearly specify what is lacking or inadequate to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "the funds were insufficient", specify "the funds were insufficient to cover the project costs".

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient" without providing context or specifics. For example, saying "the data was insufficient" is vague. Instead, clarify what aspect of the data was insufficient, such as "the sample size was insufficient to draw statistically significant conclusions".

Linguistic Context

The word "insufficient" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to modify nouns, indicating that something is not enough or does not meet the required quantity or quality. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing things like evidence, funds, and time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "insufficient" is a versatile term used to denote a lack or inadequacy across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed, particularly in news, formal business, and scientific domains. When using "insufficient", ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is lacking. While alternatives like "inadequate" and "deficient" exist, the best choice hinges on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI examples illustrate the term's application in diverse scenarios, underscoring its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate

Emphasizes a lack of something needed or required.

deficient

Highlights a specific lack or shortage of something essential.

lacking

Focuses on the absence of something that is needed or desired.

scarce

Indicates that something is rare or not readily available in sufficient quantities.

meager

Suggests a small or inadequate amount of something, often in a negative context.

limited

Implies a restriction on the amount or extent of something.

in short supply

Highlights that something is not available in the quantity needed.

too little

Directly states that the quantity of something is not enough.

falling short

Indicates that something does not meet the required standard or amount.

wanting

Implies a deficiency or lack in a specific quality or aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient" to describe something that is lacking or inadequate in quantity, quality, or degree. For example, "The evidence was "insufficient" to prove his guilt".

What are some alternatives to "insufficient"?

Alternatives to "insufficient" include "inadequate", "deficient", and "lacking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not sufficient" or "insufficient"?

"Insufficient" is generally more concise and formal than "not sufficient". Both are grammatically correct, but "insufficient" is often preferred in formal writing. For example: "The data was "insufficient"" is a more formal way to express, "The data was not sufficient".

What's the difference between "insufficient" and "inadequate"?

While both "insufficient" and "inadequate" indicate a lack, "insufficient" often refers to a quantity or amount that is not enough, while "inadequate" can refer to quality or suitability. For instance, "insufficient funds" suggests a lack of money, while "inadequate training" suggests a lack of quality in the training provided.