completely insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is entirely inadequate or lacking in quality or quantity. Example: "The resources provided for the project were completely insufficient to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Mr Ortiz says bluntly that growth is "completely insufficient.

The Economist

But in the longer fight against terrorism such an approach is "completely insufficient," he says.

The New Yorker

A former Liberal member told Guardian Australia the apology was "completely insufficient".

The Guardian

By contrast, the East German telephone system was completely insufficient; people requesting a telephone often were faced with a wait of up to 12 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lovingly filmed in slow motion, this scene shows that he has no distance from his subject, and that what element of smiling satire his film can muster is completely insufficient.

The Guardian - Film

Calling the LS quiet seems completely insufficient.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Follow KApology Twitter: @katieengelhart.

Vice

The impossibility of unconditional hospitality means that any attempt to open the globe completely is insufficient.

SEP

As a result in many cases data on individual attempts were missing completely or insufficient information was provided on reasons for failure and exact time to insertion.

BMC Medical Education

Overall, the findings are consistent with the co-IP data (Fig. 3B) in showing that the inhibition of the kinase activity of EGFR or Src alone is insufficient to completely disrupt all the proteins from the complex.

Plosone

All of the concentrations used are insufficient to completely inhibit growth.

Fungal Genetics and Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely insufficient" to emphasize a stark contrast between what is needed and what is available. This highlights the severity of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "completely insufficient" in situations where the deficiency is minor or subjective. Overusing it weakens the impact when describing genuinely critical inadequacies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely insufficient" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, expressing a severe lack of adequacy or sufficiency. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely insufficient" is a grammatically sound and usable adjectival phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to strongly emphasize the inadequacy or deficiency of something. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in scientific, news and encyclopedic contexts, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider the impact of its strong assertion and avoid overuse to maintain its effectiveness. Alternatives like "utterly inadequate" or "entirely deficient" may offer nuanced variations for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly inadequate

Emphasizes a total lack of adequacy, with a slightly stronger emotional tone.

totally inadequate

Indicates a complete lack of suitability or acceptability.

entirely deficient

Highlights a complete lack of necessary qualities or elements.

wholly lacking

Stresses the absence of something essential.

absolutely lacking

Similar to "wholly lacking" but adds a sense of definiteness.

patently deficient

Implies the insufficiency is obvious and easily recognized.

manifestly inadequate

The inadequacy is clear and apparent.

woefully inadequate

Conveys a sense of sadness or regret about the insufficiency.

decidedly insufficient

Indicates a clear and unquestionable lack of sufficiency.

clearly inadequate

The lack of adequacy is easy to perceive.

FAQs

What does "completely insufficient" mean?

The phrase "completely insufficient" means entirely inadequate or lacking in the necessary quality or quantity to fulfill a need or requirement. It signifies a total deficiency.

How can I use "completely insufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "completely insufficient" to describe resources, efforts, or qualities that fall significantly short. For example: "The funding allocated was "completely insufficient" to cover the project's expenses."

What are some alternatives to "completely insufficient"?

Alternatives include "utterly inadequate", "totally lacking", or "entirely deficient". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "completely insufficient" formal or informal?

"Completely insufficient" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "wholly inadequate" or "patently deficient" for a more sophisticated tone.