hardly adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely sufficient or not enough to meet a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The resources provided for the project were hardly adequate to achieve the desired outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But one produce company conducting voluntary testing is hardly adequate.

The New York Times

A half a year could be said to be hardly adequate training for a world championship.

The New York Times

But these tribunals are hardly adequate to deter international crimes wherever they occur.

The New York Times

It is a start, but hardly adequate training for an absolute dictator.

The Economist

The results proved that the models used are hardly adequate for assessing the PS and L∗ responses.

Journal of Cleaner Production

So the implied expectation that the route would be via Suez is hardly adequate proof of an allocation to the promisee of the risk of closure.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The words "thank you" hardly feel adequate.

The New York Times

That hardly constitutes adequate recompense for increased risk.

The New York Times

It's a good thing the ticket price is so affordable; one sitting hardly feels adequate (1 00).

The New York Times

The tale of Ronnie's numerous failings – "failings" is hardly an adequate word here – is one that has to be read to be believed.

The Guardian - Books

The government has offered a £62,000 grant to crack the problem, which hardly seems adequate, given that an airdrop of mouse poison is the favoured solution.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly adequate", ensure the context clearly establishes the standard or requirement that is not being met. This provides a clearer understanding of the degree of insufficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly adequate" when the situation is outright unacceptable; reserve it for cases where something technically meets a bare minimum but is far from ideal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly adequate" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun, indicating that something is barely sufficient or insufficient. It expresses a qualified negative assessment regarding the suitability or quantity of something. Ludwig confirms this grammatical structure and usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly adequate" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is barely sufficient or not quite meeting the required standard. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that it often appears in news, science, and business contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. When using "hardly adequate", ensure clarity in establishing the unmet standard and avoid overstating the inadequacy in situations that demand outright rejection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely sufficient

Indicates a minimal level of sufficiency, similar to "hardly adequate" but emphasizing the narrow margin.

scarcely sufficient

Emphasizes the lack of sufficiency, suggesting that something is almost not enough.

marginally acceptable

Focuses on the acceptability aspect, implying that something just meets the minimum requirements.

just enough

Highlights that something is at the lowest level needed, with no room to spare.

inadequate

A direct synonym, simply stating that something is not sufficient or suitable.

not quite up to par

Suggests that something does not meet the required standard or expectation.

falling short

Indicates that something fails to reach a necessary level or target.

deficient

Points out a lack or shortage of something essential.

leaves much to be desired

Emphasizes the dissatisfaction with the quality or quantity of something.

a far cry from

Highlights a significant difference between what is available and what is needed or expected.

FAQs

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

Use "hardly adequate" to describe something that barely meets the minimum requirements or is insufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "The funding for the project was "hardly adequate" to cover all the expenses".

What are some alternatives to "hardly adequate"?

You can use alternatives such as "barely sufficient", "scarcely sufficient", or "marginally acceptable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "hardly adequate" or "inadequate"?

"Inadequate" directly states that something is not sufficient, while ""hardly adequate"" suggests it's just barely meeting a minimum threshold. The choice depends on the degree of insufficiency you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "hardly adequate" and "completely inadequate"?

"Hardly adequate" implies a slight deficiency, whereas "completely inadequate" signifies a total lack of sufficiency. The latter indicates a much more severe shortfall.