be adequate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be adequate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something meets the necessary standards or requirements for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "The resources provided will be adequate for completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The spread seems to be adequate for the IPO.

Nature

Such methods are found to be adequate for Ra ≈ 15.

Chemical Engineering Science

This will be adequate for on-line electroencephalography (EEG) applications.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

"Emergency measures that National Grid have put in place should be adequate for this winter.

The Guardian - Business

Social Security and their own retirement plans would be adequate for this modest target.

The New York Times

Consequently, a much more conservative therapeutic approach has been suggested to be adequate for these patients.

Nature

This would be adequate for treating some blood disorders, such as β-thalassaemia, but not all.

Nature

Ultrasonic fatigue testing machines seem to be adequate for very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) tests.

International Journal of Fatigue

The latter is suggested to be adequate for preliminary stages of building design.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The law agencies hold that they would be adequate for both the coming events.

Independent

(The simple guidelines given here may not be adequate for more-complex structures).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be adequate for", ensure that the context clearly defines what standards or requirements are being met. Specificity enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be adequate for" in overly broad statements. Instead, specify the particular context or purpose for which something is considered adequate to make your writing more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be adequate for" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state or quality of a subject, indicating that it meets the requirements or standards necessary for a specific purpose. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various domains, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be adequate for" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements or standards for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI affirms its acceptability. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, and is considered appropriate for neutral to formal registers. While various alternatives exist, such as ""be sufficient for"" and ""be enough for"", it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines what standards are being met to avoid overgeneralization. By specifying the purpose or context, writers can enhance the precision and clarity of their writing, thereby using "be adequate for" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficient for

This alternative emphasizes the idea of having enough to meet a requirement.

suffice for

A more formal way of saying "be enough for".

be enough for

A simpler way to express that something meets the necessary requirements.

be suitable for

Highlights the appropriateness of something for a specific use.

be fit for

Indicates that something is in the right condition or state for a purpose.

be capable of

Focuses on the ability of something to perform a required task.

be up to par for

Implies meeting a certain standard or expectation.

be equal to

Suggests that something matches the required level or quality.

measure up to

Emphasizes the idea of meeting a particular standard or expectation after being evaluated.

serve the purpose of

This alternative highlights the functionality and objective that something fulfills.

FAQs

How do I use "be adequate for" in a sentence?

Use "be adequate for" to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements or standards for a specific purpose. For example, "The funding should be adequate for completing the project."

What can I say instead of "be adequate for"?

You can use alternatives like "be sufficient for", "be enough for", or "be suitable for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is adequate to" instead of "be adequate for"?

While "adequate to" can be grammatically correct, "be adequate for" is more common and often preferred, especially when followed by a noun or gerund.

What's the difference between "be adequate for" and "be sufficient for"?

Both phrases indicate that something meets the necessary requirements, but ""be sufficient for"" often implies that something is just enough, whereas "be adequate for" suggests that something is comfortably meeting the needs.