clearly inadequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly inadequate" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not sufficient or satisfactory in a very obvious or evident manner. Example: The company's budget for the project was clearly inadequate, as they were unable to cover the necessary expenses and had to cut corners to complete the work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their test is clearly inadequate".

The Guardian - Sport

Security at the Canal was clearly inadequate.

The New Yorker

Pechiney termed the offer "clearly inadequate" and said that it expected opposition from European antitrust regulators.

The New York Times

But such a plan is also clearly inadequate for anything other than the shortest of terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

The numbers we are seeing in White City are clearly inadequate".

The Guardian - Business

But the regulators' solution of dramatically reducing notification is clearly inadequate.

The Guardian - Tech

But the essentially voluntary inspections required under its original provisions are clearly inadequate.

The New York Times

Moreover, the data demonstrate that metabolic control of diabetes mellitus is clearly inadequate.

Medicina Clínica

Clearly, inadequate leverage is bad for shareholders, for too much equity leads to meagre returns.

The Economist

Disgorging information in quarterly chunks, with intervening periods punctuated by legalistic company press releases, is clearly inadequate.

The New York Times

That answer is clearly inadequate; many people have challenged the construct of race without lying about their lives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "clearly inadequate" to describe situations where there is no room for doubt regarding the insufficiency. This phrase works best when the inadequacy is evident to anyone observing the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly inadequate" when the assessment is subjective or open to interpretation. Reserve it for scenarios where the inadequacy is objectively verifiable to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly inadequate" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is obviously not sufficient or up to the required standard. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clearly inadequate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that something obviously does not meet requirements or standards. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile across various contexts, notably in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While its directness makes it effective, be mindful of potential bluntness in more informal situations. Alternatives like "patently insufficient" or "plainly deficient" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently insufficient

Replaces "inadequate" with "insufficient" and "clearly" with "patently", emphasizing obvious lack.

plainly deficient

Substitutes "inadequate" with "deficient" and "clearly" with "plainly", highlighting a distinct shortage.

unmistakably insufficient

Combines the certainty of "unmistakably" with the idea of lack, expressed by "insufficient".

obviously not up to par

Replaces "clearly inadequate" with a more idiomatic expression indicating failure to meet standards.

indisputably lacking

Replaces "inadequate" with "lacking" and emphasizes that this deficiency is undeniable.

manifestly unequal to the task

Emphasizes the inability to fulfill a specific purpose, replacing "inadequate" with a more descriptive phrase.

palpably unfit

Suggests that the inadequacy is easily perceived, using "unfit" to convey unsuitability.

distinctly below standard

Focuses on the failure to reach an expected level, differing in structure and vocabulary.

visibly falling short

Highlights the obvious failure to meet a certain requirement or expectation.

unquestionably unsuitable

Emphasizes the certainty of unsuitability, replacing "inadequate" with a stronger term.

FAQs

How can I use "clearly inadequate" in a sentence?

You can use "clearly inadequate" to express that something is not sufficient or satisfactory. For example: "The funding for the project was "clearly inadequate", leading to delays."

What are some alternatives to "clearly inadequate"?

Alternatives include "patently insufficient", "plainly deficient", or "obviously not up to par". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "clearly inadequate"?

Use "clearly inadequate" when something definitively fails to meet the necessary requirements or standards and there is little room for disagreement. It's suitable when the insufficiency is obvious and easily demonstrable.

What's the difference between "clearly inadequate" and "somewhat inadequate"?

"Clearly inadequate" indicates a strong and obvious lack of sufficiency, while "somewhat inadequate" suggests a milder degree of insufficiency. The former leaves little room for doubt, while the latter acknowledges a degree of suitability, albeit not fully satisfactory.