adequately answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequately answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the sufficiency or completeness of a response to a question or issue. Example: "The report did not adequately answer the concerns raised by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

A spokeswoman for Mr. Silver said yesterday that the authority failed to adequately answer questions the speaker's office raised on the plan.

The New York Times

During the call, they say, Mr. Fourtou failed to adequately answer questions or provide detailed guidance on the company's financial position.

The New York Times

Groups should divide their poster board into four quadrants and in each, succinctly but adequately answer the questions they just researched.

The New York Times

Many commenters on The Returned series blog have suggested the show might "do a Lost" and fail to adequately answer its most pressing questions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But Labor's spokesman for financial services and superannuation, Jim Chalmers, said Bishop's failure to adequately answer raised questions about the policy.

The Guardian

But, he added, "if they can adequately answer that question, the idea has a lot of appeal, both on Capitol Hill and, I think, in the financial markets".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

That question has not been adequately answered.

The New York Times

Constitutional and privacy questions need to be adequately answered first.

The New York Times

There were questions that were not adequately answered and some not answered at all.

The Guardian - Tech

This closeness raises many questions that, for now, have not been adequately answered.

The New York Times

These are questions that are never adequately answered, but which serve as unwelcome distractions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adequately answer" when you want to convey that a question or need has been addressed to a satisfactory level, without necessarily exceeding expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "adequately answer" when the response is exceptional or exceeds requirements. Opt for stronger terms like "thoroughly address" or "comprehensively resolve" to accurately reflect the quality of the answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequately answer" functions as a verb phrase, where 'adequately' modifies the verb 'answer'. It describes the manner in which a question or problem is addressed, emphasizing the sufficiency of the response. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adequately answer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase. As Ludwig AI has indicated, the expression indicates that a response is sufficient or satisfactory. It is used in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, and is considered to be of neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the criteria for an adequate response and avoid using it when the response is exceptional. Alternatives such as "sufficiently answer" or "satisfactorily answer" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently answer

Highlights that the answer meets a minimum requirement or standard.

satisfactorily answer

Indicates that the answer meets expectations or requirements.

accurately answer

Focuses on the correctness of the response, rather than just its sufficiency.

correctly answer

Highlights the accuracy of the response.

properly answer

Emphasizes the correctness and appropriateness of the response.

successfully answer

Emphasizes the positive outcome of answering, implying a resolution or achievement.

effectively answer

Stresses the efficiency and impact of the answer.

fully answer

Highlights that the answer is comprehensive and complete.

reasonably answer

Indicates that the answer is logical and justifiable.

well answer

Suggests a high quality or thorough response.

FAQs

What does "adequately answer" mean?

The phrase "adequately answer" means to provide a response that is sufficient or satisfactory for a given question or problem, meeting the minimum requirements without necessarily being exceptional.

What can I say instead of "adequately answer"?

You can use alternatives like "sufficiently answer", "satisfactorily answer", or "effectively answer" depending on the context.

How to use "adequately answer" in a sentence?

You can use "adequately answer" like: "The investigation failed to adequately answer the questions raised by the community" or "The manual needs to adequately answer all user queries."

Which is correct, "adequately answer" or "adequate answer"?

"Adequately answer" is a verb phrase, meaning to respond sufficiently. "Adequate answer" is a noun phrase, referring to a sufficient response. Choose the phrase that fits the grammatical structure of your sentence.