be inadequate

USAGE SUMMARY

"be inadequate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that does not meet a required standard or is insufficient. Example: "The resources provided may be inadequate for the project's needs." Alternative expressions include "be insufficient" and "be lacking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Words can just be inadequate.

The New York Times

Any analysis may be inadequate.

Cornell University

Each would be inadequate on its own.

The Economist

Saying anything else would be inadequate.

The New York Times

By itself, each would be inadequate.

The Economist

Occasional didactic sessions will be inadequate.

Stanford University

The election process may also be inadequate.

Cornell University

The central problem continues to be inadequate aggregate demand.

University of California, Berkeley

Purely viscoplastic modelling is shown to be inadequate.

Acta Materialia

He cautioned that currently available supplements might be inadequate.

The New York Times - Health

She says roads and parking provision will be inadequate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific metrics or reasons to strengthen your claim. For instance, instead of just saying the data is inadequate, specify that the sample size is what makes it so.

Common error

Writers often use modifiers like 'completely' or 'totally' with "be inadequate". Since the word itself implies a failure to meet a standard, these intensifiers often add unnecessary wordiness. Stick to the phrase alone unless you are emphasizing a total failure in a rhetorical context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be inadequate" serves as a predicative construction where the verb 'to be' links a subject to an adjective that describes it as failing to meet a standard. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears with modal verbs like 'may' or 'might' to express caution in scientific or legal assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be inadequate" is a robust and formal linguistic tool used across high-level discourse to signal that something is insufficient or unfit. Ludwig AI data reveals it is a staple in scientific literature and investigative journalism, often used to critique systems, resources, or theories. Whether you are writing a research paper or a professional report, this phrase provides a neutral but firm way to highlight a lack of adequacy. It is highly interchangeable with alternatives like "be insufficient" but carries a broader nuance that covers both quantity and qualitative suitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be insufficient

Focuses strictly on the lack of quantity or volume needed.

be unsatisfactory

Emphasizes the failure to satisfy expectations or requirements.

fall short

Adds an idiomatic nuance of failing to reach a specific target or standard.

be lacking

Suggests a total absence or significant void of a necessary quality.

prove deficient

More formal; implies that after testing or experience, the subject was found wanting.

be subpar

Specifically refers to being below an established average or expected level of quality.

underperform

A verb-based alternative often used in business or technical efficiency contexts.

be unfit

Suggests the subject is fundamentally unsuitable for the intended purpose.

be meager

Emphasizes the thinness or extreme smallness of the resources available.

lack substance

Specifically targets the quality or depth of an argument or material.

FAQs

How to use "be inadequate" in a sentence?

You can use "be inadequate" to describe anything that fails to reach a necessary level. For example: "The current safety protocols may "be inadequate" for the new project."

What can I say instead of "be inadequate"?

Depending on your context, you might use "be insufficient", "fall short", or "be deficient".

What is the difference between "be inadequate" and "be insufficient"?

While often interchangeable, "be inadequate" often refers to quality or fitness for a purpose, whereas "be insufficient" usually focuses on numerical quantity.

Is "be inadequate" formal enough for an essay?

Yes, "be inadequate" is highly appropriate for academic essays, scientific papers and professional reports. It is considered more formal than saying something 'isn't good enough'.