adequacy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adequacy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an amount or quality that is considered sufficient for a purpose. For example, "She was concerned about the adequacy of her preparation for the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Without his puckish verve for disruption, it'd become a show about technical adequacy and endless piano ballads.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is likely to be widespread support for the "serious concerns" raised by the committee about the adequacy of current laws.

The Guardian

Related: Adoptive parents need to be supported to help their child grieve There are real threats in all of this: cuts to local authority budgets; the challenge of recent court judgments in adoption; the adequacy of the current policy and legislation for special guardianship.

The Guardian

The passage of the laws – which require telecommunications companies to store certain types of phone and web data for two years – has been marked by concerns about the adequacy of privacy safeguards by companies and government agencies that will handle the data.

The Guardian

That throws differences in regulatory structure into much sharper relief.The regulators have responded in several different ways, most directly by drawing up the Basle rules on minimum standards of capital adequacy.

The Economist

Barclays, one of the last big banks to do so, was, as The Economist went to press, still busily trying to sell shares to cash-rich sovereign wealth funds and hoping to raise about £4 billion, giving existing shareholders the choice of also buying stock.While concerns about capital adequacy were hanging over banks, shareholders were reluctant to rock the boat.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

For firms operating in the securities business, there are no internationally agreed minimum capital standards, although most national regulators impose rules of their own (as does the EU, through its capital-adequacy directive).

The Economist

More generally, it is possible that having two sets of capital-adequacy rules will distort competition between Basel 1 and Basel 2 banks.

The Economist

Although the initiative for this came from rich countries, it was designed as a standard for banks everywhere and has been adopted in many emerging countries (see chart 6 .Regulators in emerging markets are becoming increasingly aware that capital-adequacy rules are the most effective item in their toolbox.

The Economist

There would then be two years for banks to prepare their models and reporting systems, and for the EU to pass and implement a capital-adequacy directive for banks and investment firms, modelled on Basel 2.This is a tight schedule even with the extra year, and the Basel committee is deliberately shutting out debate on "new" issues.

The Economist

They are also shedding assets at an alarming rate in order to meet EU capital-adequacy targets by next June.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "adequacy", clearly define the specific needs or requirements you are measuring against to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what constitutes "adequacy" is universally understood. Always provide context and specify the criteria being used for evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "adequacy" functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, referring to the state of being sufficient or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. For example, "There is likely to be widespread support for the serious concerns raised by the committee about the adequacy of current laws."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adequacy" is a noun used to describe whether something is sufficient or meets a specific requirement. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is correct and usable in English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears most commonly in news and formal business contexts. When using "adequacy", it's crucial to define the criteria you're measuring against to avoid ambiguity. Consider synonyms like "sufficiency" or "appropriateness" based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiency

Direct synonym, emphasizing the state of having enough.

appropriateness

Focuses on suitability for a specific purpose or situation.

suitability

Similar to appropriateness, but often implies a better fit.

competence

Highlights the ability to perform a task to the required standard.

fitness

Implies being in the right condition or state for a particular purpose.

capability

Emphasizes the inherent potential to meet requirements.

qualifications

Highlights the specific skills or attributes that make something adequate.

acceptability

Focuses on whether something meets a minimum standard for approval.

satisfactoriness

Indicates a level of fulfillment or meeting expectations.

the required amount

A more explicit way to express having enough, emphasizing the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "adequacy" in a sentence?

You can use "adequacy" to discuss whether something meets the required needs or standards. For example, "The report questioned the adequacy of the safety measures."

What are some synonyms for "adequacy"?

Alternatives for "adequacy" include "sufficiency", "appropriateness", and "suitability" depending on the context.

How does "adequacy" differ from "sufficiency"?

"Adequacy" and "sufficiency" are very close in meaning, but "adequacy" often implies meeting a specific requirement, while "sufficiency" suggests having enough in a more general sense.

What determines the "adequacy" of something?

The "adequacy" of something is determined by its ability to meet the specific requirements, standards, or needs for which it is intended.