adequately

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adequately" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a sufficient level of quality, quantity, or capacity. Example: I was adequately prepared for the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added that the MP was now a "discredited and isolated backbencher" who would struggle to adequately represent his constituents.

The Guardian

It does not allow doctors enough space to adequately describe a patient's diagnosis and instead operates on a "drop down box system".

The Guardian

Last week Francis made his strongest condemnation yet of senior church figures, including bishops, who did not "respond adequately" to allegations of abuse by priests under their control.

The Guardian

Labour, claimed some, had not been adequately leftwing in a country where the political centre of gravity (or so it appeared) had long been at odds with that in England.

The Guardian

The US ratings authority was satisfied that malleable young minds would be adequately protected from the vagaries of the English language – the same authority by the way that is happy to allow malleable young minds to watch PG-13 rated movies about torture and gore each week – and the movie opened in 1,011 theatres.

The Guardian - Film

There have been reports of misdiagnosis, low motivation due to a narrow career progression, or of referral bottlenecks where clinical officers, unable to diagnose adequately, simply represent an additional level of referral.

The Guardian

Amid criticism that his administration has not adequately engaged US lawmakers on the negotiations, Obama said he planned to speak with congressional leaders and would welcome cooperation from Congress.

The Guardian

The report contains an extraordinary quote from an anonymous board member: "In a democracy, if I am elected and not adequately trained, then is it my fault?" Yes, it is, actually.

The Guardian - Business

"The failure by a broadcaster to adequately address the complaint is a matter that would stand against the broadcaster in our consideration," he said.

The Guardian

"We will also be reviewing the standard of passenger information with a focus on whether passengers have been adequately informed to make alternative arrangements to their journeys, or to claim compensation".

The Guardian - Business

If you give someone £20 and say, 'Feed your family for the week on it,' a lot of people just couldn't do it adequately and that's because there's – and I do blame the readymeal industry for it, because it is so easy and so attractively packaged, and you just put it in a microwave – a disconnection between what's in that packet, and how simple and cheap it might be to make it for yourself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adequately" to clearly convey that a certain standard or requirement has been met, avoiding ambiguity in your writing. For example, instead of saying 'the food was ok', say 'the food was adequately prepared' to denote that the preparation standards were met.

Common error

Avoid using "adequately" when a stronger term like "excellently" or "perfectly" is more appropriate. "Adequately" suggests meeting a minimum requirement, not exceeding it.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "adequately" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that something is done to a sufficient or satisfactory degree. Ludwig AI affirms this adverbial role, showcasing its utility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "adequately" is a versatile term used to indicate that something is done to a sufficient or satisfactory level. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, ensuring that a certain standard is met. With a neutral tone, it is common across diverse sources such as news, business, and scientific texts. While phrases like "sufficiently", "satisfactorily", and "suitably" offer similar meanings, writers should use "adequately" when intending to communicate that something is 'good enough' for its intended purpose, but use it carefully to avoid overstating sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently

Emphasizes meeting a necessary level or requirement.

to a sufficient degree

Rephrases the concept with a more descriptive word choice.

satisfactorily

Focuses on fulfilling expectations or providing contentment.

suitably

Highlights appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

in an acceptable manner

Rephrases the concept with a more descriptive word choice.

competently

Stresses skill and capability in performing a task.

to the required extent

Rephrases the concept with a more descriptive word choice.

acceptably

Indicates a level that meets minimum requirements.

decently

Suggests a moderate level of quality or performance.

passably

Implies just barely meeting the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "adequately" in a sentence?

"Adequately" is used to describe something done to a satisfactory or sufficient level. For example, 'The room was "adequately lit" for reading', or 'The issue was "adequately addressed" by the team'.

What are some alternatives to "adequately"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "sufficiently", "satisfactorily", or "suitably" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is "more than adequately" done?

While grammatically correct, saying something is "more than adequately" done can sound awkward. It's often better to use a stronger adverb like "thoroughly" or "exceedingly", depending on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "adequately" and "appropriately"?

"Adequately" means something is sufficient or satisfactory, while "appropriately" means something is suitable or fitting for a particular situation. For example, you might say a response was "adequately detailed" (sufficient) or "appropriately timed" (suitable).