It was adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It was adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that meets the necessary requirements or standards, but is not exceptional. Example: "The meal was not gourmet, but it was adequate for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was adequate, with a cakelike texture, but its main assets were two peppy dips, one of cardamom-flecked coconut, the other of tart and sour tamarind.

The New York Times

"It was adequate, because there was a categoric assurance, a cast-iron guarantee that under no circumstances would Jones ever again teach children in a school.

The Guardian

It was adequate but no classic and, if you're really watching the pennies, my advice would be to skip the cafe and buy a few takeaway bits to eat in the park opposite.

The Guardian - Travel

It was adequate, or satisfactory, but basically democratic boilerplate in the 2004 style, from the introductory note about the end of the bush administration to the not-so-rousing rallying cry that we are not a red America and a blue America, but one red-white-and-blue America.

The Economist

It was adequate to consider the irradiation spectrum as a good simulation of standard DUVR [9] and represented a UV distribution of 4% in UVB and 96% in UVA.

Plosone

Yes, absolutely, I think it was adequate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Further work could be done to strengthen the individual factors; however it is adequate for use in its full form.

Infant Behavior and Development

It is "adequate" yearly progress, not "annual".

The New York Times

It is adequate the way it's being presented".

The New York Times

"I am not sure it is adequate," Osborne said.

The Guardian - Business

But nobody pretends it is adequate to the onrushing disaster.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It was adequate" when you want to convey that something met the minimum requirements or standards without being exceptional. It's suitable when describing situations where exceeding expectations isn't necessary or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "It was adequate" when the situation calls for a stronger endorsement or when describing something truly excellent. Overusing it can make your writing sound unenthusiastic or even dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It was adequate" primarily functions as a statement of sufficiency or acceptability. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe something that meets a minimum standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "It was adequate" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something meets the minimum requirements or standards without being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, as shown by Ludwig examples, and its register is generally neutral. While "it was sufficient", "it was acceptable", and "it sufficed" serve as suitable alternatives, "it was adequate" remains a straightforward and versatile choice for expressing sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It sufficed

Implies that something was just enough to meet a need or requirement.

It was sufficient

Indicates that something met the necessary requirements or standards.

It was acceptable

Suggests that something was satisfactory, though not necessarily outstanding.

It was satisfactory

Indicates that something met expectations without exceeding them.

It was passable

Implies that something barely met the required standard.

It was up to par

Suggests that something met the expected standard or level.

It was decent

Suggests a moderate level of quality or acceptability.

It measured up

Indicates that something fulfilled the necessary criteria or expectations.

It was reasonable

Implies fairness and acceptability under the circumstances.

It was tolerable

Indicates that something was endurable, though perhaps not ideal.

FAQs

How can I use "It was adequate" in a sentence?

Use "It was adequate" to describe something that meets the necessary requirements or standards but is not exceptional. For example, "The meal was not gourmet, but "it was adequate" for our needs".

What are some alternatives to "It was adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "it was sufficient", "it was acceptable", or "it sufficed" depending on the context.

Is "It was adequate" positive or negative?

"It was adequate" is generally neutral. It indicates that something met the minimum requirements but doesn't imply excellence. The connotation can shift based on context, sometimes implying slight disappointment if more was expected.

When is it appropriate to use "It was adequate"?

Use "It was adequate" when you want to convey that something met basic expectations without being outstanding. It's suitable for describing situations where exceeding expectations isn't necessary or relevant. Avoid using it when a stronger endorsement is needed.