in adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in adequate" is not correct in English; it should be "inadequate." You can use "inadequate" to describe something that is insufficient or not enough in quality or quantity.
Example: "The resources provided for the project were inadequate to meet the team's needs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Effectively under siege, Antananarivo has been unable to bring in adequate supplies of fuel and a number of other essentials.

The New York Times - Travel

Wasn't she in adequate shape?

The New York Times

Saying that, it is in food retailers' best interests to invest in adequate water stewardship.

The Guardian

He wants the N.F.L. to make sure that stadiums are in adequate shape for all games.

The New York Times - Sports

When folic acid is present in adequate amounts, homocysteine is converted back to methionine.

The New York Times - Health

This means a property in adequate condition, at a predictable and affordable cost in the long term.

The Guardian

But, he warned, "it doesn't help in adequate numbers to solve the problem, and it is expensive".

The New York Times

Help did not arrive in adequate enough numbers or in nearly enough time.

The New York Times

Special measures must be taken to keep the R32s in adequate shape.

The New York Times

In order to produce an effect, a drug must reach its target site in adequate concentration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although other minerals are required for growth, they are present in adequate amounts in feedstuffs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the adjective "adequate" or the adverb "adequately" instead of the grammatically incorrect phrase "in adequate". For example, use "adequate supplies" or "adequately prepared."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "in adequate" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is simply "adequate" before a noun, or "adequately" as an adverb modifying a verb or adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in adequate" functions as an incorrect adjectival modifier. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is simply "adequate" as an adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in adequate" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting the correct form is simply "adequate". While examples of its usage are common across various sources, including news and scientific publications, this does not validate the phrase's correctness. Alternatives like "sufficient" or simply using "adequate" directly are recommended. The presence of the error across varied sources may be due to carelessness, lack of editing or other aspects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient

Replaces "in adequate" with a single adjective meaning enough or satisfactory, removing the need for a preposition.

adequate

Uses the correct adjective form directly, implying the presence of something satisfactory without needing a preposition.

in sufficient quantity

Specifies that the quantity is enough, clarifying what aspect is adequate.

in ample measure

Emphasizes abundance, suggesting more than just the minimum requirement is met.

to a sufficient degree

Highlights the extent to which something is adequate, focusing on the level of sufficiency.

in good order

Indicates that something is in the correct or satisfactory condition.

up to par

Suggests that something meets the required standard or expectation.

meeting the requirements

Focuses on fulfilling specific needs or criteria.

in proper form

Implies correctness and adherence to standards.

in acceptable condition

Indicates that something is good enough to be used or approved.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the word "adequate" in a sentence?

Use "adequate" as an adjective directly before the noun it modifies. For instance, "The supply was adequate." You can also use the adverb "adequately", as in "The task was adequately completed".

What does "adequate" mean?

"Adequate" means sufficient, enough, or satisfactory for a specific purpose or requirement. It implies that something meets the necessary standards or needs.

How can I replace "inadequate" /s/inadequate in a sentence?

You can use synonyms like "insufficient", "lacking", or "deficient" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "adequate" and /s/sufficient "sufficient"?

"Adequate" means just enough to meet a requirement, while "sufficient" often implies that there is enough to cover needs comfortably. "Sufficient" suggests a greater degree of abundance than "adequate".