be hardly sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be hardly sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is barely enough or insufficient for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The funds allocated for the project will be hardly sufficient to cover all expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The overall energy derived from acetoacetate oxidation with sulfate as electron acceptor (that is, about two to three mol ATP per mol acetoacetate), appears to be hardly sufficient to support growth and activation of acetone via any of the carboxylase reactions described above.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The genes or the gods alone are hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

The American contribution, though immense, was hardly sufficient, and hardly alone.

The New Yorker

That is hardly sufficient for a system that needs strong new checks and balances.

The New York Times

And if terrorism is the concern, then exclusion from the conference is hardly sufficient punishment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Could have been" is hardly sufficient when the standard of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt".

The New Yorker

This is pretty unconvincing: gender politics are hardly sufficient to explain Kerry's catastrophic tactical blunders.

The Guardian - Books

However, research has shown that feedback by itself is hardly sufficient.

Energy Research & Social Science

But this is hardly sufficient to warrant an extension to men in general.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Feinberg said that after-the-fact approach was hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

Her wish to continue a musical education is hardly sufficient, for competent instructors might be found elsewhere.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be hardly sufficient", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is insufficient for. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be hardly sufficient" when the situation requires a stronger statement of inadequacy. If something is completely inadequate, use stronger phrasing like "be entirely insufficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be hardly sufficient" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate that it is barely adequate or insufficient for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be hardly sufficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in English to indicate that something is barely adequate or not quite enough. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely found across various sources, including news, science, and academic texts. While alternatives like "be barely adequate" or "fall short" exist, "be hardly sufficient" offers a nuanced way to express marginal sufficiency. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is insufficient for to maintain clarity and avoid overstating the degree of inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be barely adequate

Focuses on the minimal level of acceptance rather than clear insufficiency.

be scarcely enough

Emphasizes the limited quantity or degree, suggesting it's just barely meeting the requirement.

be just about enough

Highlights that something is only marginally sufficient.

be nearly inadequate

Focuses on the approaching state of being inadequate.

be far from sufficient

Strongly asserts the insufficiency, indicating a significant gap.

be a drop in the ocean

Implies that something is too small to make a real difference.

fall short

Directly indicates a failure to reach a required standard or amount.

be wanting

Suggests a lack or deficiency in necessary qualities or quantity.

be in short supply

Highlights the limited availability, implying that it may not be sufficient.

be deficient

Directly states that something is lacking a necessary quality or element.

FAQs

How can I use "be hardly sufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "be hardly sufficient" to express that something is barely adequate or not quite enough for a specific purpose. For example, "The budget allocated will "be hardly sufficient" to cover all the expenses".

What are some alternatives to "be hardly sufficient"?

Alternatives include "be barely adequate", "be scarcely enough", or "fall short", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be hardly sufficient"?

Yes, "be hardly sufficient" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate that something is just barely enough or not quite sufficient.

What's the difference between "be hardly sufficient" and "be insufficient"?

"Be hardly sufficient" suggests a very slight degree of adequacy, whereas "be insufficient" implies a clearer and more definite lack of adequacy. "Be insufficient" expresses a stronger sense of inadequacy.