as inadequate as it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as inadequate as it was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a comparison or acknowledgment of something's insufficiency, often in a reflective or critical context. Example: "The solution provided was, as inadequate as it was, the best we could come up with at the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The system remains as inadequate as it was on Sept. 11, 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When they come home, in some cases, perhaps, with post-traumatic stress, do they have the same support (as inadequate as it is) that our soldiers do?

The New Yorker

Passivity -- even sympathetic passivity -- in the face of a war on freedom is as inadequate now as it was then.

Huffington Post

I therefore support the resource rent tax, inadequate as it is.

The Economist

His response may have seemed inadequate for an act that was as astonishing as it was repellent, but perhaps there was a simple way to explain why he lost his cool in the face of taunting from the Italian, Marco Materazzi.

The New York Times

Most Native American tribes, particularly the Naskapis, viewed wolf flesh as edible but inadequate nutrition, as it was not a herbivore and thus did not possess the same healing qualities thought to be distinct in plant eaters.

Wikipedia

Even before Katrina hit, mental health services for the poor in New Orleans were often criticized as inadequate — as they are in many big cities with large indigent populations.

The New York Times

Negotiators came to Tianjin with four items on their agenda: Codifying the voluntary pledges made after Copenhagen (as inadequate as they are), setting up the rules for forest conservation and clean tech cooperation, creating a process for transferring and verifying climate aid, and--most vexing--determining the structure of an eventual climate treaty.

Huffington Post

"This effort is as laughable as it is inadequate, and clearly demonstrates Lyft's lack of commitment to making its service accessible to people who need vehicles with lifts or ramps," the lawsuit alleges.

TechCrunch

AS inadequate as mere checkbook diplomacy is, the Japan that is being written off today is increasingly unable even to play that game the way it once did because of its huge debt and pension woes.

The New York Times

By 1923 residents of Hagley were asking for an upgrade of the system, as it was seen as inadequate by then.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as inadequate as it was", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'it' refers to and why it's considered inadequate. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "as inadequate as it was" when the subject has significantly changed or improved. This phrase implies a lack of progress, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as inadequate as it was" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its state of inadequacy. It establishes a comparison with a previous state, indicating a lack of improvement. Ludwig's examples highlight its usage in critiquing systems and responses.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as inadequate as it was" is a comparative adjectival phrase used to express a lack of improvement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for analytical writing. The primary intention is to criticize the subject for failing to improve, and according to the limited examples that Ludwig finds, it most often appears in News & Media. For greater impact, ensure the context clearly defines what 'it' refers to. When the subject has improved, avoid using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as insufficient as before

This directly replaces 'inadequate' with 'insufficient', maintaining the comparison to a past state.

unchanged in its inadequacy

This emphasizes the lack of change in the state of being inadequate.

just as unsatisfactory now as then

This emphasizes the continuity of the unsatisfactory condition over time.

no better than before

This alternative focuses on the lack of improvement over a previous state, similar to highlighting inadequacy over time.

remaining as deficient as in the past

This uses 'deficient' to highlight the lack and the persistence of the problem.

still as flawed as it always was

This focuses on the presence of flaws as the reason for inadequacy, highlighting its consistent state.

as wanting as it previously stood

This uses 'wanting' as a synonym for inadequate, maintaining the parallel structure.

still not good enough

This simplifies the phrase to a more straightforward expression of inadequacy.

no more satisfactory than formerly

This alternative uses 'satisfactory' to convey the lack of fulfillment and the continuation of this state.

as weak as it used to be

This uses 'weak' as a measure of inadequacy, focusing on a lack of strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "as inadequate as it was" in a sentence?

You can use "as inadequate as it was" to compare a current situation to a past one, emphasizing a lack of improvement. For example, "The emergency response system remains "as inadequate as it was" before the reforms".

What does "as inadequate as it was" imply?

The phrase "as inadequate as it was" suggests that something is not only insufficient but has also failed to improve over time. It conveys a sense of disappointment or frustration.

Are there more formal alternatives to "as inadequate as it was"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "no better than before", "just as insufficient as before", or "unchanged in its inadequacy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what kind of writing is "as inadequate as it was" most appropriate?

The phrase "as inadequate as it was" is suitable for analytical or critical writing where you want to emphasize the stagnation or lack of progress in a particular area. It's common in news articles, reports, and academic papers.