data is insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data is insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that the available information or data does not meet the necessary requirements for analysis or decision-making. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive because the data is insufficient to draw any meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Better school performance data is insufficient for helping prospective students choose a college wisely.

The New York Times

"Without engagement, just having data is insufficient," McCarthy said.

TechCrunch

It does however state that Google's current means for securing user permission to collect their data is insufficient.

TechCrunch

Where the data is insufficient, it makes recommendations on actions to take for improvement.

Resources Policy

So the amount of training data is insufficient for many triphones.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

A summary of the published articles demonstrates that the data is insufficient or flawed to explore this fully.

Nutrition Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

(The data are insufficient to allow definitive conclusions, but larger trials are in progress).

The New Yorker

But some of the easiest-to-access data were insufficient to JIEDDO's purposes.

The Guardian

Data were insufficient to recommend EMS/VMS.

Journal of Hospital Infection

However, the data are insufficient for testing this notion.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Still, while the data were insufficient and the methods need more investigation, the concept seems sound to me.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "data is insufficient", clearly state what decisions or analyses are being hindered by the lack of adequate data. This provides context and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid drawing strong conclusions or making definitive statements when the available data is explicitly acknowledged as "insufficient". Acknowledge the limitations and suggest areas for further research or investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data is insufficient" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied noun (such as 'evidence', 'analysis', or 'conclusions'). Ludwig shows it's commonly used to express a lack of adequate information for decision-making or analysis. The usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "data is insufficient" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that the available data is not adequate for a particular purpose. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in scientific and professional contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to be clear about what specific decisions or analyses are being affected by the lack of data. While "data is inadequate" and "evidence is lacking" serve as viable alternatives, the core meaning remains consistent: the need for more information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data is inadequate

Substitutes "insufficient" with "inadequate", suggesting a similar level of deficiency.

data is lacking

Uses "lacking" to convey the absence of enough data, slightly less formal.

information is inadequate

Replaces "data" with "information" and "insufficient" with "inadequate", implying a similar meaning.

there is not enough data

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the quantity of data available.

evidence is lacking

Focuses on the "evidence" aspect, highlighting the absence of supporting information.

the dataset is incomplete

Indicates that the dataset has missing values, therefore the data is not enough to analyse.

information is scarce

Uses "scarce" to emphasize the limited availability of information.

the data are limited

Focuses on the restricted scope or amount of data.

the data are inconclusive

Highlights the inability to reach a firm conclusion due to the data's limitations.

the sample size is too small

Specifically addresses the issue of a small sample size affecting data sufficiency.

FAQs

How to use "data is insufficient" in a sentence?

Use "data is insufficient" to indicate that the available information is not adequate for a particular purpose, such as drawing conclusions or making decisions. For example: "The current research on this topic is preliminary, so the "data is insufficient" to support any broad generalizations."

What can I say instead of "data is insufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "data is lacking", "information is inadequate", or "evidence is lacking" depending on the context.

Is it "data is insufficient" or "data are insufficient"?

While "data" can be treated as either singular or plural, in formal writing, it's generally preferred to treat it as plural (i.e., "data are"). However, ""data is insufficient"" is acceptable, particularly in less formal contexts. Choose the option that best suits the overall tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "data is insufficient" and "data is incomplete"?

"Data is incomplete" suggests that some data points are missing, whereas ""data is insufficient"" implies that even with all available data, there's not enough to reach a conclusion or make a decision. The former refers to missing elements, the latter to a general lack of adequacy.