an insufficient quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an insufficient quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a lack or shortfall of something, typically in a formal or academic context. Example: "The research revealed an insufficient quantity of data to draw any meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"However, a report was received from the technical delegate that showed during post-qualifying scrutineering an insufficient quantity of fuel for sampling purposes.

BBC

Due to the high water content of several mats, there was an insufficient quantity of air-dried material for chemical analysis.

Geochemical Transactions

The available literature provides only limited test information on the fatigue performance of corroded beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP; additionally, most published studies have presented an insufficient quantity of test results.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

This could reflect an insufficient quantity of hydroxylamine HCl to extract all of the Fe in these sediments, as has been demonstrated for more Fe-rich sediments [78 80].

Geochemical Transactions

Their ruling said: "A team member had put an insufficient quantity of fuel into the car, thereby resulting in the car having to be stopped on the circuit in order to be able to provide the required amount for sampling purposes.

BBC

The major reason for incomplete genotyping was an insufficient quantity of DNA from blood and buccal cells.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Diets with a high proportion of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates and an insufficient quantity and quality of fiber increase the risk of laminitis [ 24, 33- 35], as well as for displaced abomasum [ 36, 37] and subacute ruminal acidosis [ 38- 40].

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Hunger among children is a serious public health problem in the U.S. and reflects an insufficient quantity and quality of food consumed [ 1, 2].

BMC Pediatrics

We have chosen to use a Delphi technique as the most appropriate study design to develop explicit criteria that are consensus based where an insufficient quantity or grade of evidence exists to develop evidence-based criteria.

BMJ Open

From in vivo experiments, it has been shown that in most cases, the drug is immediately delivered due to the bursting of the nanobubbles carrying the drug, as a consequence of which insufficient quantity of the drug reaches the target cells.

Nanoscale Research Letters

On 4 5 July, crewmen aboard Friedrich der Grosse staged a hunger strike in protest over the poor quality and insufficient quantity of the food they were given.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an insufficient quantity of", ensure the noun it modifies is clearly stated and relevant to the context. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity.

Common error

While "an insufficient quantity of" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "not enough" or "too little" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an insufficient quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the amount of something is not enough to meet a particular need or purpose. It is used to express a deficiency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an insufficient quantity of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a lack or deficiency of something. According to Ludwig, it commonly appears in scientific and news contexts and serves to describe a shortfall. While its formal tone is suitable for academic and professional settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for casual communication. Remember to clearly specify what is lacking to avoid ambiguity, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited amount of

This alternative focuses on the limited aspect of the quantity.

a scarce supply of

This alternative emphasizes the scarcity of the supply.

a deficient volume of

This alternative highlights the deficiency in volume.

an inadequate number of

This alternative is used when referring to countable items.

a shortage of

This alternative provides a more concise way to express the lack.

a dearth of

This alternative provides a stronger and more formal expression of lack.

a paucity of

This alternative indicates a small or meager quantity.

a trickle of

This alternative suggests a very small and slow supply.

a deficiency in

This alternative highlights the aspect of lacking something.

a lack of

This is a direct and simple way to express the absence of sufficient quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "an insufficient quantity of" in a sentence?

Use "an insufficient quantity of" to describe a situation where there is a lack of something. For example, "The experiment failed due to an insufficient quantity of reagents."

What are some alternatives to "an insufficient quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "a limited amount of", "a shortage of", or "a lack of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "insufficient quantity" or "insufficient amount"?

Both "insufficient quantity" and "insufficient amount" are correct, but "quantity" is generally used for things that can be counted or measured, while "amount" is used for uncountable things. Choose the word that best fits the noun you are modifying.

What's the difference between "an insufficient quantity of" and "an inadequate quantity of"?

While both phrases convey a lack, "insufficient" implies that there isn't enough to meet a specific need or requirement, whereas "inadequate" suggests that something is of poor or unacceptable quality.