inadequate capabilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inadequate capabilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone or something is not adequately equipped or skilled to do a job or task. For example, "The company had inadequate capabilities for the project and needed to hire an outside consultant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The design of such large structure has certain inherent challenges, such as limited mass and volume because of the inadequate capabilities of launchers.

Acta Astronautica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, either the unavailability of SgOctβR's structure or the inadequate capability of its sequence lead the development of insecticide for Schistocerca gregaria meets its plateau.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

The functionalization and assembly of live cells with microfabricated polymeric biomaterials have attracted considerable interest in recent years, but the conventional methods suffer from high cost, high complexity, long processing time or inadequate capability.

Acta Biomaterialia

It also warned that an inadequate capability to move, protect and supply forces meant that higher casualties might occur should the United States be forced to fight two major conflicts at the same time, as called for in the national war plan.

The New York Times

Two main limitations of this approach are inadequate capability to get factual time images and strike of the ionizing radiation on the patient's body.

BioMed Research International

Other limitations are the paucity of available experimental models of AKI and the inadequate capability of selected marker molecules to detect the impairment of kidney function in real time.

Critical Care

Community signposting pointed mothers to dental services, whilst family pressures together with inadequate capacity and capability and generic barriers such as fear and cost acted as barriers.

BMC Oral Health

A 10,000-page federal study of the Sept. 11 response led by Mr. Kerik and Mr. Giuliani found that "a preponderance of evidence indicates that a lack of timely information sharing and inadequate communications capabilities likely contributed to the loss of emergency responder lives".

The New York Times

In the words of a 2005 National Institute of Standards and Technology study, "the evidence indicates that emergency responders' lives were likely lost [as a result of] lack of timely information and inadequate communication capabilities".

The Guardian - Books

Most small or medium sized healthcare practices are struggling to stay afloat in these testing times due to inadequate expansion capabilities, stronger regulations, reduced reimbursements, and higher costs.

Forbes

Intel has even seen organizations slow their PC upgrade cycle from every four years to now every six due to cost and inadequate performance capabilities of older processors to run modern applications.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadequate capabilities", specify the area or task for which the capabilities are lacking to provide context and clarity. For example, "inadequate marketing capabilities" or "inadequate technical capabilities".

Common error

Avoid using "inadequate capabilities" without specifying the context. Saying a team has "inadequate capabilities" is vague. Instead, identify the specific capabilities that are lacking to provide actionable insights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadequate capabilities" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a deficiency in skills, resources, or abilities necessary for a specific task or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inadequate capabilities" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a deficiency in the skills, resources, or abilities needed for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI explains, it is appropriate for describing situations where something or someone lacks the necessary equipment or skills. While versatile, it's best practice to specify the context in which the capabilities are lacking to enhance clarity. Be aware of the specific nuances of available substitutes like "insufficient skills" or "limited expertise" to ensure the most fitting expression. Finally, remember that its register is neutral to professional, making it adaptable across a variety of professional and formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient skills

Emphasizes a lack of necessary skills.

limited expertise

Highlights a restriction in the amount of expert knowledge.

deficient abilities

Focuses on the absence of key abilities.

lacking proficiency

Stresses the absence of a high degree of competence.

underdeveloped potential

Implies that capabilities exist but are not fully realized.

substandard performance

Indicates that the level of performance is below an acceptable standard.

poorly equipped

Suggests a lack of necessary tools or resources.

weak skill set

Focuses on the collective skills possessed being weak or insufficient.

restricted capacity

Highlights a limitation in the ability to handle a certain amount.

incompetent resources

Emphasizes resources that are not skillful or effective.

FAQs

How can I use "inadequate capabilities" in a sentence?

You can use "inadequate capabilities" to describe a lack of necessary skills or resources for a specific task or purpose. For example, "The project failed due to the team's inadequate technical capabilities."

What are some alternatives to "inadequate capabilities"?

Alternatives to "inadequate capabilities" include "insufficient skills", "limited expertise", or "deficient abilities". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "inadequate capacity" and "inadequate capabilities"?

"Inadequate capacity" refers to a limited ability to hold or contain something, while "inadequate capabilities" refers to a lack of necessary skills or resources. The former is about volume or quantity, and the latter is about skill or proficiency. Use "inadequate capacity" when referring to limited space or volume.

Is it better to say "lacking capabilities" or "inadequate capabilities"?

Both "lacking capabilities" and "inadequate capabilities" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "inadequate capabilities" is more common and may sound more formal. "Lacking capabilities" is also fine.