but not ample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not ample" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is insufficient or lacking in quantity or quality, while still being present to some degree. Example: "The funding provided was adequate for the initial phase of the project, but not ample for its long-term sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this region, the weaker association with the sex trait in a distal (VSVV010) and, if accurately located, a central (VSVV008) genes could be a trace of some recombination events, sufficient to break the association with the sex causal genes, but not ample enough to completely blur LD traces.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

PICK CAREFULLY There is ample space here, and ample staff, but not always ample clothes.

The New York Times

"Not ample, but adequate".

Los Angeles Times

The ordinance, which city officials acknowledge would be difficult to enforce, will limit the number of dispensaries to 70, but its language suggests that even fewer will be permitted if there is not ample space under the new parameters to accommodate them.

The New York Times

In this hospitable setting, works by 80 of the arts council's members have adequate, if not ample, space.

The New York Times

He added, "The South Vietnamese forces are not ample enough to cope with the main-force units throughout the country. . . .

The New Yorker

(Burns Wahl) Assume that (K_S) is not ample and let (pi :S rightarrow X) be the canonical morphism.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Was Jason's apology not ample enough?

Huffington Post

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum There is simply not ample space here to aptly covey just how vital and necessary USHMM actually is.

Huffington Post

As historian Perry Miller wrote, "Griswold was about as devious as they came in this era of deviousness; did not ample documentation prove that he actually existed, we might suppose him ... one of the less plausible inventions of Charles Dickens".

Wikipedia

The time-frame of one pregnancy is probably not ample enough to fully assess the impact that HIV can have on the maintenance of antibody repertoires, but it is well established that HIV negatively influences memory B cells, impairing the long-term serological memory of the infected individuals [33], [34].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not ample" when you want to convey that something is present to a degree but falls short of being plentiful or fully sufficient. This phrase is particularly effective when making a nuanced comparison or qualification.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "but not ample" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "but not enough" or "but a bit limited" to maintain a natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not ample" functions as a conjunctive phrase that serves to qualify or contrast a preceding statement. It introduces a limitation or reservation, indicating that while something might be adequate or sufficient, it is not abundant or plentiful. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not ample" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying that something is adequate without being plentiful. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not particularly common, it's suitable for contexts where nuance and precision are valued. This phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, and related alternatives include "but not sufficient" and "but not enough". When using it in your own writing, consider the level of formality and whether a more casual expression might be more appropriate. Avoid overusing this expression and always consider if there is another way to reword the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not sufficient

Emphasizes a lack of adequacy, focusing on whether the minimum requirement is met.

but not enough

A more general expression of insufficiency, applicable to various contexts.

but somewhat limited

Highlights the restricted nature of something, suggesting a boundary or constraint.

but not abundant

Focuses on the absence of a plentiful supply or quantity.

but moderately scarce

Indicates a degree of rarity or unavailability.

but just adequate

Suggests that something barely meets the necessary standards.

but slightly deficient

Highlights a minor shortfall or imperfection.

but rather restricted

Emphasizes limitations and constraints on availability or scope.

but not particularly plentiful

Implies that something exists in moderate quantities, but not in great abundance.

but marginally inadequate

Suggests that something is only slightly below the required level.

FAQs

What does "but not ample" mean?

The phrase "but not ample" suggests that something is adequate or sufficient to some extent, but it's not plentiful, abundant, or generous. It implies a certain limitation or lack of excess.

What can I say instead of "but not ample"?

You can use alternatives like "but not sufficient", "but not enough", or "but somewhat limited" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "but not ample" or "but insufficient"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "but not ample" implies a degree of adequacy that "but insufficient" lacks. The choice depends on whether you want to acknowledge a partial fulfillment or emphasize a complete lack.

How do I use "but not ample" in a sentence?

Use "but not ample" to qualify a statement, indicating that something meets a basic requirement but isn't particularly abundant. For example, "The budget was adequate, but not ample, for covering all the project's needs."