adequate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It means sufficient or suitable for a specific purpose. Example: The training program was not adequate to prepare me for the difficult task ahead. In this sentence, "adequate to" is used to describe the level of preparedness for the task. It indicates that the training program was not enough or suitable enough to fully prepare the speaker for the task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

SERVICE -- Adequate to absent.

The New York Times

"Is it adequate to address the problem?

The New York Times

But what is adequate to you might not be adequate to me.

The Guardian

(It seemed perfectly adequate to me in recital last year).

The New York Times

A dust mask is not adequate to block vapors.

The New York Times

Are current laws adequate to fight this scourge?

The New York Times

No longer is conventional CSR reporting adequate to the task.

The Guardian

But those categories aren't really adequate to describe the book.

The New Yorker

"Media consultant" is barely adequate to describe Mr. Schwartz's portfolio.

The New York Times

Precipitation is adequate to abundant, with a summer maximum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the criteria seem adequate to guide enforcement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequate to", ensure the context clearly defines what standard or requirement is being met. Be specific about what the subject is adequate for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "adequate to" when you actually mean something is exceptional or superior. Reserve "adequate to" for situations where something just meets the minimum requirements, not exceeds them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate to" functions as a predicate adjective followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, indicating it is suitable for describing something that is sufficient or satisfactory for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adequate to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to convey that something is sufficient or suitable for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI states, it is indeed usable in written English. Found commonly in news, scientific, and business contexts, its register is generally neutral. When employing "adequate to", ensure clarity regarding the standard being met and avoid using it when you intend to convey excellence. Alternatives include "sufficient for" or "suitable for" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient for

Focuses on the sufficiency aspect, emphasizing that something meets the necessary requirements.

enough for

Highlights that something is merely adequate, possibly implying a minimum level of acceptability.

suitable for

Similar to appropriate for, but might suggest a better fit or more ideal match.

appropriate for

Highlights the suitability or appropriateness of something, rather than sheer sufficiency.

capable of

Stresses the ability to perform a function, rather than the suitability for a purpose.

competent to

Emphasizes skill and capability to handle something, as opposed to mere suitability.

equal to

Emphasizes a state of being equivalent to, rather than suitability or fitness.

meeting the needs of

Emphasizes satisfaction of requirements or demands but adds a degree of formality.

fitted for

Focuses on the preparation or adaptation aspect, suggesting something has been modified.

up to

Informal phrase emphasizing capability but might not fully capture the sense of suitability.

FAQs

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

Use "adequate to" to describe something that is sufficient or satisfactory for a particular purpose or requirement. For example, "The funding was adequate to complete the first phase of the project."

What are some alternatives to using "adequate to"?

You can use alternatives like "sufficient for", "enough for", or "suitable for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "adequate for" or "adequate to"?

Both "adequate for" and "adequate to" are grammatically correct. "Adequate to" often implies meeting a specific challenge or task, while "adequate for" is more general in expressing sufficiency.

When is "adequate to" not the best choice of words?

If you want to convey excellence or superiority, "adequate to" might be too weak. Consider stronger terms like "exceptional", "superior", or "outstanding" when describing something that exceeds expectations.