generally adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally adequate" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is suitable or acceptable in most cases, but may not be perfect. Example: While the house's location was generally adequate, its small size and lack of storage space proved to be major drawbacks for the family.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bootstrap standard errors (SE) for the difference of Phi measures between groups were generated using 50 bootstrap replications; between 50 and 200 replications are generally adequate for estimates of bootstrap standard error [ 41, 42].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

His vocal soloists were generally adequate, and in several instances, better than that.

The New York Times - Arts

The quality of the print is generally adequate, although some pages are only marginally legible.

Cornell University

If only a single analysis is requested, a 375mL sample is generally adequate.

Cornell University

Yet the system was a genuine logographic writing system generally adequate to economic and administrative purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Linear models and synchronous response are generally adequate to describe and analyze rotors supported by hydrodynamic bearings.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

To the extent such assertions raise First Amendment concerns, copyright's built-in free speech safeguards are generally adequate to address them.

Harvard University

Acceleration is generally adequate and the fuel economy is relatively good, with an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 21 m.p.g. in the city and 29 on the highway.

The New York Times

Robustness of the system, measured in terms of the interface's ability to transfer stress under unequal loading causing distortion on the tunnel, is found to be generally adequate.

Underground Space

A lot of things happened in 2014 that belonged to a third category: they were fairly engaging, slightly thought-provoking, a little annoying or pretty good... in a generally adequate sort of way.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is generally adequate for bleaching jobs where you want to lighten the color just a little, or where the wood has darkened because of aging and you want to bring it back to its original tone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally adequate" when you want to convey that something meets the minimum requirements or expectations in most situations, without necessarily being outstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "generally adequate" when you actually mean 'excellent' or 'exceptional'. It's important to accurately reflect the quality and not dilute the meaning by downplaying superior attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally adequate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to qualify the noun by indicating that it meets a certain standard or requirement in most cases, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

22%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally adequate" is a versatile phrase used to express that something meets the minimum requirements or expectations in most situations. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. The phrase is frequently found in scientific, news, and academic sources. When using "generally adequate", ensure that it accurately reflects the quality you intend to convey, avoiding understatement when excellence is meant. Related phrases include "usually adequate" and "largely sufficient", offering nuanced alternatives. Overall, "generally adequate" is a useful tool for conveying a moderate level of sufficiency in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually adequate

Implies adequacy is typical but not guaranteed.

largely sufficient

Highlights the extent to which something meets requirements.

mostly satisfactory

Focuses on the level of satisfaction rather than pure adequacy.

reasonably acceptable

Indicates a level of acceptance despite potential imperfections.

sufficient in most cases

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the adequacy.

ordinarily suitable

Suggests suitability under typical conditions.

serviceable on the whole

Suggests something that is usable despite some imperfections.

good enough for the most part

Emphasizes that the level of adequacy is not absolute, but acceptable.

passable under normal conditions

Highlights the ordinariness of the conditions for adequacy.

acceptable for routine purposes

Focuses on the routine nature of the adequacy.

FAQs

How can I use "generally adequate" in a sentence?

Use "generally adequate" to describe something that is sufficient or acceptable in most circumstances, but not necessarily outstanding. For instance, "The student's performance was "generally adequate", but there's room for improvement."

What's a more formal alternative to "generally adequate"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "largely sufficient" or "ordinarily suitable" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

When is it not appropriate to use "generally adequate"?

Avoid using "generally adequate" when describing something that needs to be of high quality or precision. In such cases, terms like "completely sufficient" or "perfectly suited" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "generally adequate" and "completely adequate"?

"Generally adequate" implies that something is sufficient in most situations but may fall short in some cases. "Completely adequate", on the other hand, suggests that something is fully sufficient in all circumstances.