are ill-equipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are ill-equipped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something lacks the necessary tools, skills, or resources to handle a particular task or challenge. Example: "Many schools are ill-equipped to provide students with the technology they need for remote learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They are ill-equipped to do it.

The Economist

Even so, its soldiers are ill-equipped.

The Economist

It is that they are ill-equipped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their relatives are ill-equipped to tackle Bangladesh's tortuous bureaucracy.

The Guardian

Now banks are ill-equipped to deal the foreclosure process.

The New York Times

The wild salmon are ill-equipped to resist the lice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Unfortunately, system designers are ill equipped to assess this impact during the design process.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

And often the local bureaucracies are ill equipped to help people who speak Spanish.

The New York Times

Now they are ill equipped to police the vast infusion of federal money into the economy.

The New York Times

But what about those who are ill equipped to hop on the digital express?

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Levinson argued that artists are ill equipped to make financial decisions about the institution's future.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are ill-equipped", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific resources or skills are lacking. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are ill-equipped" without specifying the area of deficiency. For example, instead of saying "They are ill-equipped", specify "They are ill-equipped to handle the new software".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are ill-equipped" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of lacking necessary resources or skills. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable. Many examples on Ludwig show the phrase used to describe organizations or people lacking resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are ill-equipped" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a lack of necessary resources or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral, it leans towards professional contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the deficiency when using this phrase. Alternatives like "are unprepared" or "lack the resources" offer similar meanings but may suit different nuances. When writing, make sure to provide detail instead of using a broad statement that could cause confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unequipped

A more direct synonym, highlighting the absence of equipment.

are ill-prepared

Focuses on the lack of preparation rather than the lack of equipment or resources.

lack the resources

Emphasizes the absence of necessary resources, which can be broader than just equipment.

are inadequately resourced

Specifically points to a lack of sufficient resources.

are poorly resourced

Similar to inadequately resourced, but with a slightly less formal tone.

are not ready

Focuses on the readiness aspect, implying a lack of preparedness.

are not up to the task

Focuses on the inability to perform a specific task due to lack of skills or resources.

are deficient in

Highlights a specific deficiency in skills or resources.

are unsuited

Indicates a lack of suitability for a particular purpose or task.

are wanting in

A more formal way of saying lacking, implying a need for something.

FAQs

How can I use "are ill-equipped" in a sentence?

Use "are ill-equipped" to describe situations where someone or something lacks the necessary resources or skills. For example, "The local hospitals "are ill-equipped" to handle a large-scale emergency".

What's a good alternative to saying "are ill-equipped"?

Alternatives include "are unprepared", "lack the resources", or "are deficient in", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is ill-equipped" instead of "are ill-equipped"?

Yes, but the verb form depends on the subject. Use "is ill-equipped" for singular subjects (e.g. "The hospital is ill-equipped") and "are ill-equipped" for plural subjects (e.g. "The hospitals are ill-equipped").

What does it mean when someone says something is "ill-equipped"?

It means that something or someone lacks the necessary tools, resources, or skills to perform a task or handle a situation effectively. It indicates a deficiency that hinders their ability to succeed.