are not sufficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not sufficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet a required level or standard. Example: "The results of the experiment are not sufficiently conclusive to draw any firm conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of the actors are not sufficiently mature or experienced.

The New Yorker

They are not sufficiently aware of the longer-term consequences.

The Guardian

Many students are not sufficiently conditioned for the load.

The New York Times

And they are not sufficiently aware of road conditions and the unpredictable behavior of other motorists.

The New York Times

And, he added, the problem with government plans like Medicare is they are not sufficiently financed.

The New York Times

Several panellists say financial advisors are not sufficiently knowledgeable about or interested in ethical investing.

The Guardian

In any case, students passively watching something online are not sufficiently engaged in learning.

The Guardian

Does this mean that asteroids are not sufficiently interesting to the general public?

The Guardian

"The legal constraints are not sufficiently binding that they should prohibit research".

The New York Times

When the rainfall is too little, the aquifers are not sufficiently replenished.

The Guardian - Opinion

This fact cannot be squared with the suggestion that charters are not sufficiently accountable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not sufficiently", ensure that the statement is followed by a clear explanation of what is lacking or what standard is not being met to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are not sufficiently" without specifying what 'sufficiently' refers to. A statement like "Resources are not sufficiently allocated" is less effective than "Resources are not sufficiently allocated to the marketing department, hindering their ability to launch new campaigns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not sufficiently" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates that something does not meet a required level or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not sufficiently" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express inadequacy or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for academic, journalistic, and professional contexts. While alternatives like "are inadequate" or "are not enough" exist, "are not sufficiently" offers a specific emphasis on falling short of a required level. To ensure clarity, it's best to follow this phrase with a precise explanation of what is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inadequate

This alternative directly states that something is not good enough or does not meet the required standard.

are not adequate

Similar to "are inadequate", this suggests a lack of the necessary quality or quantity.

are not enough

This expresses that something is lacking and does not fulfill the requirements.

are lacking

This alternative emphasizes the absence or shortage of something needed.

fall short

This idiom suggests that something fails to reach the expected level or standard.

are deficient

This indicates a lack or shortage, often in a technical or formal context.

are wanting

This suggests that something is missing or needed, often in a subjective sense.

are not up to par

This idiom means that something does not meet the required level of quality or performance.

are subpar

A simpler, more direct way to say something is below the expected standard.

are not quite up to scratch

Similar to "are not up to par", this idiom conveys that something is slightly below the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "are not sufficiently" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not sufficiently" indicates a lack of something to meet a certain requirement. For example: "The safety measures "are not sufficiently robust" to prevent accidents."

What are some alternatives to "are not sufficiently"?

You can use alternatives like "are inadequate", "are not adequate", or "are not enough" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "are not sufficiently" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something falls short of a required level or standard. Use it when you need to be specific about the deficiency. Consider if alternatives like "are lacking" might be more concise.

What's the difference between "are not sufficiently" and "are insufficiently"?

"Are not sufficiently" is generally used when you want to emphasize the lack of something in relation to a specific requirement. "Are insufficiently" is a more direct and concise way of saying the same thing, but may lack the emphasis. For example, "The funds "are not sufficiently allocated"" highlights the allocation problem, whereas "The funds "are insufficiently allocated"" simply states the allocation is inadequate.