be adequate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be adequate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is sufficient or meets the necessary requirements for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "The resources provided must be adequate to support the project's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can money ever be adequate to the value backing it?

Princeton University

It needs to be adequate to the task.

The New York Times

"It should be adequate to say that our customer is not surprised by this".

The New York Times

Measuring only my child's exposures may not be adequate to determine cause and effect.

The New Yorker

But what is adequate to you might not be adequate to me.

The Guardian

He added that exist ing flight schedules would be adequate to handle passenger traffic.

The New York Times

Surely that would be adequate to protect FSB's brief two-year exposure.

Harvard Business Review

Ibuprofen may help, and relaxation and fluids may be adequate to treat a tension-type headache.

Harvard University

Can social description ever be adequate to messy and contingent realities?

Princeton University

But no response can be adequate to the magnitude of the need.

The Economist

One meal by Deen will probably be adequate to feed the entire circus cast.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be adequate to", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject is sufficient for. Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be adequate to" without specifying what standard or purpose the subject meets. Vague usage weakens the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be adequate to" functions as a predicate adjective followed by a preposition. It describes the subject's ability to meet a specific need, requirement, or standard. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

46%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be adequate to" is a versatile expression used to convey that something is sufficient or meets a necessary requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, including science, news media, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the purpose or standard being met. While alternatives like "suffice for" or "be sufficient for" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. Overall, "be adequate to" is a reliable and commonly understood way to express sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficient for

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "adequate" and is generally interchangeable.

be enough for

This alternative is simpler and more direct, suitable for informal contexts.

suffice for

This alternative is more concise and directly implies meeting a need or purpose.

meet the requirements of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes adherence to specific criteria.

measure up to

This alternative suggests reaching a certain expectation or level.

be up to par with

This alternative implies meeting a standard of quality or performance.

be equal to

This alternative implies matching in quality, size, or degree.

be capable of

This alternative focuses on having the ability or capacity to achieve something.

be commensurate with

This alternative is more formal and suggests a proportional relationship.

pass muster for

This alternative implies meeting a minimum requirement for acceptance or approval.

FAQs

How can I use "be adequate to" in a sentence?

You can use "be adequate to" to indicate that something is sufficient or meets the necessary requirements for a particular purpose or situation. For example: "The resources provided must be adequate to support the project's needs."

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

You can use alternatives like "suffice for", "be sufficient for", or "meet the requirements of" depending on the context.

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

While "be adequate for" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "be adequate to", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Be adequate to" often implies a direct relationship or responsibility, while "be adequate for" is more general.

What's the difference between "be adequate to" and "be capable of"?

"Be adequate to" implies sufficiency for a specific purpose, while "be capable of" focuses on the inherent ability or potential to do something, regardless of sufficiency.