but not adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is insufficient or lacking in quality or quantity. Example: "The resources provided were helpful, but not adequate for the project's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In other words, the supply management scenario is necessary but not adequate; rather, it must be coupled to the demand management scenario.

Journal of Hydrology

Until now, the petroleum industry tried to acquire reliable permeability values via laboratory measurements on cores or well test interpretation, which are both accurate but not adequate methods for complete reservoir description.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

The planimetric simulation was ideal for quantifying the dimensions of views (areal extent, depth, relief), but not adequate for quantifying the composition of views (landcover, diversity, and edge of landcover).

Landscape and Urban Planning

Thus, although IDPN may partially satisfy the nutritional needs of maintenance hemodialysis patients who have or are at risk of PEW and who have substantial, but not adequate, protein and/or energy intake, longer term randomized prospective clinical trials with appropriate control groups are necessary to more definitively evaluate the clinical effectiveness and indications for IDPN.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

ATHENS -- The commissioner for monetary affairs at the European Union, Olli Rehn, said on Monday that austerity measures announced by the Greek government to stave off a mounting fiscal crisis were "in the right direction" but not adequate to reduce a bloated budget deficit by 4 percent this year and tackle a debt crisis threatening the euro zone.

The New York Times

Sir Bruce said data on rates in six Welsh hospitals was worrying, but not adequate to form a view.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The heterogeneous dispersion model was suitable for steady-state predictions but was not adequate for transient behaviour.

Chemical Engineering Science

The pseudo-homogeneous reactor model is allowed to be used, but is not adequate for the description of the temperature profiles inside the reactor during reaction.

Chemical Engineering Science

Such access control may be acceptable in closed systems and networks but is not adequate in open systems and networks where the real identities and other critical information about requesters may not be known to the systems and networks.

Computers & Security

They become the problem-solver-in-chief, exercising capabilities that may have helped them land the corner office in the first place but are not adequate for leading the entire enterprise.

Harvard Business Review

Of course, the opportunity equity stressed by Rawls provides the foundation but is not adequate for interpreting social justice.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not adequate" to politely point out a deficiency without being overly critical. For instance, in a review: "The effort was appreciated, but not adequate to meet the project goals."

Common error

Avoid using "but not adequate" when something is completely useless. This phrase is better suited for situations where something has some value, but ultimately doesn't fully meet the needs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not adequate" functions as a conjunctive phrase to introduce a contrast, indicating that while something may be present or has some value, it ultimately falls short of meeting requirements or expectations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not adequate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that something is less than ideal. Ludwig AI confirms this. It functions as a conjunctive phrase, highlighting a contrast where something exists but is insufficient. It's versatile across various contexts, especially in Science and News & Media, conveying a polite yet critical assessment. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the contrast is well-defined, specifying what is lacking and where the shortfall lies. Consider alternatives like "but insufficient" or "but lacking" for subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but insufficient

More direct synonym; emphasizes the lack of what is needed.

but lacking

Highlights the absence of a required element or quality.

but not enough

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of inadequacy.

but deficient

Suggests a more significant shortfall or defect.

but wanting

Implies something is missing or desired, but absent.

but not up to par

Indicates failure to meet a standard or expectation.

but not satisfactory

Emphasizes the failure to meet expectations or requirements.

but falling short

Suggests a failure to reach a desired level or target.

but not quite there

Indicates near achievement, but ultimate failure.

but leaves something to be desired

Highlights that there are certain things that are missing.

FAQs

How can I use "but not adequate" in a sentence?

Use "but not adequate" to show that something is insufficient for a particular purpose, like: "The training was a good start, "but not adequate" for handling complex cases."

What phrases are similar to "but not adequate"?

Alternatives include "but insufficient", "but lacking", or "but not enough". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "but not adequate" or "but inadequate"?

"But not adequate" is generally more common and can sound less harsh than "but inadequate". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "but not adequate" and "but not sufficient"?

While similar, "but not adequate" suggests a general shortfall, while "but not sufficient" implies a failure to meet a specific requirement or threshold. You can use "but not sufficient" when something doesn't meet a bare minimum.