Insufficient data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Insufficient data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there is not enough information available to make a decision or draw a conclusion. Example: "The analysis could not be completed due to insufficient data regarding the sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Insufficient data exist to inform decision-making.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Insufficient data for analysis.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Insufficient data provided for analysis.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Insufficient data exist to base this decision on sarcoma subtype.

Bone and Joint Research

I retired on insufficient data.

The New York Times

It's clear that there are insufficient data".

The New York Times - Science

The G line was not ranked because of insufficient data.

The New York Times

How long K-9?" K-9: "Insufficient data".

The Guardian

(Four councils were excluded because of insufficient data).

The Guardian

Petchley found there was insufficient data to make any judgment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You just don't know because there tends to be insufficient data to do anything".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "insufficient data" as a vague excuse; provide specific details on the limitations and their potential impact.

Common error

Avoid drawing strong conclusions when acknowledging "insufficient data". Instead, focus on the need for further research or data collection to reach a more informed judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient data" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It indicates a deficiency in the amount or quality of available information, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient data" is a commonly used expression indicating that there is a lack of adequate information to make a decision or draw a reliable conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including science, news, and business. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to specify the type of data that is lacking and its impact on the analysis. Alternatives include "limited data" and "inadequate data", offering similar meanings with subtle differences. It's important to avoid overstating conclusions when data is limited and to acknowledge the need for further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited data

Focuses on the quantity of data available.

Inadequate data

Emphasizes the data is not good enough for a certain purpose.

Lack of sufficient data

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the lack of data.

Data scarcity

Highlights the rare availability of the data.

Insufficient evidence

Shifts focus from data to supporting evidence.

Inconclusive data

Suggests that the data do not lead to a clear conclusion.

Limited information

Uses the general term "information" instead of "data".

Insufficient information

A more formal synonym, replaces "data" with "information".

Missing data

Directly states that the data are not present.

A paucity of data

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to describe a lack of data.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient data" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient data" to explain why a conclusion cannot be reached or why further research is needed. For example: "The study's results were inconclusive due to "insufficient data"." or "Insufficient data exists to support this claim."

What are some alternatives to saying "insufficient data"?

Alternatives include "limited data", "inadequate data", or "lack of data", depending on the specific context. Each highlights slightly different nuances of the data deficiency.

Is it better to say "insufficient data" or "lack of data"?

"Insufficient data" and "lack of data" are often interchangeable, but "insufficient data" suggests that some data exists but is not enough. "Lack of data" implies that there is little to no data available. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

What does it mean when a study reports "insufficient data"?

It typically means that the amount of data collected was not large enough to draw statistically significant conclusions, or that critical pieces of information were missing, preventing a complete analysis.