an adequate response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an adequate response" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing whether a reply or answer meets the necessary standards or requirements. Example: "The committee reviewed the feedback and concluded that the applicant provided an adequate response to all the questions posed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the absence of an adequate response, the regime must be held responsible.

The Washington Post

That's not an adequate response".

The Guardian

Was that an adequate response?

The New York Times - Science

"I told you so" doesn't feel like an adequate response.

The Guardian

The league struggled to find an adequate response.

The New York Times - Sports

But they have struggled to formulate an adequate response.

The New York Times

"We haven't gotten an adequate response," he said.

The New York Times - Health

I thought she apologized and gave what she thought was an adequate response and is believable".

The New York Times

This is a free, democratic society's notion of an adequate response.

The New Yorker

"This guidance is not an adequate response to the crisis of racial profiling in America".

The Guardian

Because by then, good-faith centrism did not seem anything like an adequate response.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating whether something constitutes "an adequate response", clearly define the criteria or expectations against which the response is being measured.

Common error

Avoid using "an adequate response" when the situation requires an exceptional or transformative solution. Ensure the level of response aligns with the severity and complexity of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an adequate response" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'adequate' modifies the noun 'response'. It generally refers to whether a reaction is sufficient or meets the required standards. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an adequate response" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a reaction that meets a minimum level of expectation or sufficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. While the phrase is versatile, its appropriateness depends on the context, with more formal or specialized situations possibly benefiting from more precise language. The usage spans various domains, from news and media to scientific research, indicating its widespread applicability. Related phrases, such as ""a sufficient answer"" or ""an appropriate reply"", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sufficient answer

Replaces 'response' with 'answer' and 'adequate' with 'sufficient', emphasizing completeness.

an appropriate reply

Substitutes 'response' with 'reply' and 'adequate' with 'appropriate', highlighting suitability.

a satisfactory reaction

Changes 'response' to 'reaction' and 'adequate' to 'satisfactory', focusing on meeting expectations.

a fitting comeback

Replaces 'response' with 'comeback' and 'adequate' with 'fitting', suggesting a suitable retort.

a suitable rejoinder

Substitutes 'response' with 'rejoinder' and 'adequate' with 'suitable', indicating an appropriate answer in a debate.

a competent handling

Replaces 'response' with 'handling' and 'adequate' with 'competent', highlighting effective management of a situation.

an effective measure

Changes 'response' to 'measure' and 'adequate' to 'effective', focusing on achieving desired results.

a passable resolution

Replaces 'response' with 'resolution' and 'adequate' with 'passable', suggesting a minimally acceptable solution.

a decent solution

Substitutes 'adequate' with 'decent', implying a reasonably acceptable fix.

a tolerable treatment

Changes the noun and the adjective, focusing on an acceptable method of dealing with something.

FAQs

How can I use "an adequate response" in a sentence?

You can use "an adequate response" to describe a reaction or answer that meets the minimum requirements or expectations for a particular situation. For example, "The company's statement was not "an adequate response" to the public's concerns."

What are some alternatives to "an adequate response"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a sufficient answer", "an appropriate reply", or "a satisfactory reaction".

What's the difference between "an adequate response" and "an effective response"?

"An adequate response" implies that the reaction meets the minimum requirements or expectations, whereas "an effective response" suggests that the reaction successfully achieves the desired outcome or result. The second is better.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an adequate response"?

Use "an adequate response" when you want to convey that something is just good enough or meets the basic standards, but perhaps isn't exceptional. If you wish to convey something is better, consider using other terms such as "an effective response".