Scarcely adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Scarcely adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely sufficient or not enough to meet a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The funding provided for the project was scarcely adequate to cover the necessary expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The word exotic is scarcely adequate to describe the sheer strangeness of Benjamin Disraeli within the 19th-century British political establishment, or indeed within its social life.

The Guardian - Books

These have generally been considered masterpieces of abstract, "absolute" music, wonders of pure melody, harmony and counterpoint, conjured from means scarcely adequate to the task.

The New York Times - Arts

How long before my own job is being done, for a fraction of my scarcely adequate salary, by an Indian in Bangalore?

The Economist

The inmates of the Soviet labour camps were inadequately clothed for the severe Russian climate, and the standard rations of bread and soup were scarcely adequate to maintain life.

Britannica

In the center of Dublin, the Abbey occupies a squat concrete building that is widely acknowledged as unglamorous for a national institution and scarcely adequate for the needs of a high school auditorium, let alone a busy, world-renowned theater.

The New York Times

The complexity of the phenomena involved, augmented by the heterogeneity and stochasticity of the media in which transport occurs, renders classical analytical-numerical approaches scarcely adequate for realistic representation of the system of interest.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The moon was out, but there were clouds enough that the light was scarcely more than adequate.

Vice

WE can scarcely imagine a more difficult task than the writing of a trustworthy and adequate history of physics.

Nature

The feudal host, whose knights were enfeoffed landholders obliged to give 40 days' service per year normally, had been adequate for defense and for service within a kingdom; but it was scarcely appropriate for the now more frequent long-distance expeditions of the time, whether crusades or sustained invasions such as those launched in the Anglo-French wars.

Britannica

The current situation for older persons with mental disorders has scarcely been studied and questions have been raised as to whether or not older persons with extensive needs receive adequate care and treatment.

BMC Psychiatry

Now scarcely 10 per cent are.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scarcely adequate", consider the context and audience. In formal writing, it can effectively convey a critical assessment without being overly harsh. Be mindful of the tone and ensure it aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely adequate" in casual or informal settings. The phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not enough" or "barely enough" for better communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely adequate" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is barely sufficient. It is used to express a deficiency or lack of abundance, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scarcely adequate" is used to describe something that is barely sufficient or only just meets the minimum requirement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedia, and scientific contexts. While effective in formal and neutral settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal communication. Keep in mind its role is to point out a slight insufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely sufficient

Emphasizes the minimal level of sufficiency, similar to "scarcely adequate" but with a slightly stronger assertion of inadequacy.

Hardly sufficient

Uses "hardly" to highlight the lack of adequacy, offering a close synonym that underscores the marginal quality.

Minimally acceptable

Focuses on the acceptance threshold being just met, differing by highlighting the pass/fail aspect of the adequacy.

Marginally sufficient

Highlights the marginal nature of the sufficiency, placing emphasis on the thin line of being adequate.

Scantily adequate

Uses "scantily" to emphasize the meagerness of the adequacy, adding a layer of deficiency.

Just enough

Indicates that the quantity or quality is at the lowest acceptable limit; less formal and more direct.

Barely passable

Indicates something only just meets the required standard; stronger connotation of barely succeeding.

Sufficient, but not much more

Adds a descriptive element that explicitly states the narrow margin above the minimum requirement.

Inadequate to some degree

Directly acknowledges a level of inadequacy while maintaining a formal tone and level of politeness.

Somewhat insufficient

Acknowledges a lack of sufficiency, but softens the statement making it suitable for formal use.

FAQs

What does "scarcely adequate" mean?

The phrase "scarcely adequate" means something is barely sufficient or only just meets the minimum requirement. It indicates a lack of abundance or quality.

What are some synonyms for "scarcely adequate"?

Alternatives to "scarcely adequate" include "barely sufficient", "hardly sufficient", or "just enough" depending on the context.

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

You can use "scarcely adequate" to describe resources, provisions, or conditions that are barely sufficient. For example: "The funding provided was "scarcely adequate" to cover the project's expenses."

Is "scarcely adequate" formal or informal?

The phrase "scarcely adequate" is generally considered formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "not enough" or "barely enough" may be more appropriate.