hardly sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is barely enough or not adequate for a particular purpose. Example: "The funding provided for the project was hardly sufficient to cover the basic expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Necessary, perhaps, but hardly sufficient.

The Economist

This is a start but hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

The genes or the gods alone are hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

And if terrorism is the concern, then exclusion from the conference is hardly sufficient punishment.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is pretty unconvincing: gender politics are hardly sufficient to explain Kerry's catastrophic tactical blunders.

The Guardian - Books

"Could have been" is hardly sufficient when the standard of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt".

The New Yorker

The American contribution, though immense, was hardly sufficient, and hardly alone.

The New Yorker

But this is hardly sufficient to warrant an extension to men in general.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Feinberg said that after-the-fact approach was hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

Plot summary is hardly sufficient to evoke the splendors and surprises of this movie, which opens today in New York.

The New York Times

While encouraging future executives to embrace transparency and ethics is all fine and good, it's hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly sufficient" to express a critical assessment of inadequacy. It's stronger than saying something is simply 'not enough' and implies a notable deficiency. For example, instead of "The budget was not enough", try "The budget was "hardly sufficient" to meet the project's demands".

Common error

Avoid using "hardly sufficient" when something is only slightly inadequate. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact. Reserve it for situations where the deficiency is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly sufficient" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective 'sufficient'. It indicates a lack of adequacy, suggesting that something is barely enough or almost not enough. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses a critical evaluation of a certain element or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly sufficient" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is barely adequate or not quite enough. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts to offer critical assessments. While alternatives like "barely adequate" or "scarcely enough" exist, "hardly sufficient" provides a unique emphasis on the marginality of the adequacy. To maximize its impact, reserve its use for situations with significant deficiencies, rather than overusing it for minor shortcomings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely adequate

Indicates a minimal level of acceptability, implying something just meets the requirements but offers little beyond that.

scarcely enough

Emphasizes the limited quantity or degree, suggesting there's very little available or attained.

marginally adequate

Highlights that something is only just sufficient, with little room for error or additional needs.

almost inadequate

Suggests something is close to not meeting the required standard, hinting at a potential shortfall.

just about enough

Conveys that something barely reaches the necessary level, with a sense of narrowness.

insufficient by a narrow margin

Indicates that something falls short, but only slightly, implying it's close to being sufficient.

falling slightly short

Describes a situation where something doesn't quite reach the required amount or quality.

only minimally acceptable

Emphasizes that something is only acceptable in the slightest degree, highlighting its bare minimum status.

nearly insufficient

Suggests that something almost doesn't meet the requirements, implying a close call.

deficient to a small degree

Indicates a small lack or inadequacy, implying the shortcoming isn't substantial but still present.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly sufficient" to express that something is barely adequate or not enough to meet a particular need or requirement. For example: "The resources allocated were "barely adequate", and the timeframe was "hardly sufficient" to complete the task effectively."

What are some alternatives to "hardly sufficient"?

Some alternatives to "hardly sufficient" include "barely adequate", "scarcely enough", "marginally adequate", or "almost inadequate". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not sufficient" instead of "hardly sufficient"?

Yes, "not sufficient" is a grammatically correct and similar alternative. However, "hardly sufficient" adds a degree of emphasis, implying that something is notably inadequate, whereas "not sufficient" is a more neutral statement of inadequacy. The best choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "hardly sufficient" and "insufficient"?

"Insufficient" means not enough or inadequate. "Hardly sufficient" also means not enough, but it often implies that something is so close to being adequate that it's almost teasingly inadequate. "Insufficient" is a more direct and less nuanced term than "hardly sufficient".