adequate service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequate service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of service that meets the necessary requirements or standards, but may not exceed expectations. Example: "The hotel provided adequate service during our stay, ensuring that our basic needs were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

Health

Business

Legal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In turn, LHWs who are not adequately cared for may deliver a less than adequate service [ 28].

Health Research Policy and Systems

"The service that we provide is adequate service," he explained.

The New York Times

People reliant on legal aid will be offered an "adequate service", he said.

The Guardian

The union estimates a need for at least 6,000 to deliver an adequate service.

The Guardian

It is rare for the papers to reach him in time to give customers an adequate service.

The Guardian

Instead Young, targeted by Liverpool, and Downing, wanted by Sunderland, are regarded as essential to providing adequate service for Bent.

The Guardian - Sport

Many consumers, he said, are willing to pay more for their coverage if they believe they are getting adequate service.

The New York Times

The failure of a travel or tour professional to deliver adequate service as contracted for could result in a lawsuit.

Tourism Management

Under rules introduced this year by the telecoms regulator, mobile phone and internet providers must release customers from contracts if they are not receiving adequate service.

The Guardian - Money

Many said that flight attendants could not provide adequate service without the carts and that passengers would not tolerate cuts, the coalition's president, Kevin C. Mitchell, said.

The New York Times

It advises you to contact Ofcom to see who has acquired your telephone number, but I wouldn't bother, because you now have a perfectly adequate service with BT.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or contractual contexts, ensure that the term "adequate service" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes over what constitutes an acceptable level of service.

Common error

Avoid using "adequate service" when you want to convey that the service is exceptional or exceeds expectations. Opt for stronger terms like "excellent service", "outstanding service", or "superior service" to accurately reflect the quality you wish to describe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate service" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "adequate" modifies the noun "service". As Ludwig AI clarifies, it describes a level of service that is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adequate service" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a level of service that meets the minimum required standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that the service is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding. It is frequently used in news, science, and academic contexts to evaluate or discuss service quality. Alternatives include "satisfactory service" or "sufficient service". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and avoid using it when the service is meant to be described as excellent. Remember that its neutrality may not be the most expressive in certain contexts, so consider alternatives where you need a term that properly expresses the quality of a given service.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory service

Replaces "adequate" with "satisfactory", implying a similar level of acceptability but potentially with a slightly more positive connotation.

sufficient service

Replaces "adequate" with "sufficient", indicating that the service meets the minimum requirements without necessarily being exceptional.

acceptable service

Uses "acceptable" instead of "adequate", suggesting that the service is good enough to meet the required standards.

reasonable service

Substitutes "adequate" with "reasonable", implying that the service is fair and appropriate under the circumstances.

competent service

Emphasizes the skill and ability involved in providing the service, implying that it is performed adequately and professionally.

service of an acceptable standard

Rephrases the concept to focus on the standard of service, rather than using the adjective "adequate".

service that meets requirements

Highlights that the service fulfills the necessary criteria, offering a more descriptive alternative.

passable service

Implies the service is barely acceptable, suggesting it is the lowest level of service that can be tolerated.

service up to par

An idiomatic expression meaning the service meets the expected level of quality or performance.

service that fulfills basic needs

Focuses on the service's ability to address fundamental requirements, highlighting functionality.

FAQs

What does "adequate service" mean?

"Adequate service" refers to a level of service that meets the minimum requirements or expectations. It is sufficient but not necessarily exceptional.

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

You can say, "The hotel provided "adequate service", ensuring our basic needs were met", or "The government strives to provide "adequate service" to all citizens".

What are some alternatives to "adequate service"?

Alternatives include "satisfactory service", "sufficient service", or "acceptable service" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "adequate service" and "excellent service"?

"Adequate service" means the service meets the basic requirements, while "excellent service" implies that the service exceeds expectations and is of very high quality.