inadequate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inadequate of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a lack of sufficiency or capability regarding something. Example: "The resources provided were inadequate of meeting the project's demands."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

At least some donors should break from this logic and massively augment growing but wholly inadequate of humanitarian aid now crossing from Turkey into Syria through nongovernmental organizations.

The New York Times

"Although doctors and nurses have the best opportunity to intervene with alcoholics and substance abusers, our research indicates they are woefully inadequate of even diagnosing someone with this disease," said Joseph Califano Jr., the chairman and president of Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse.

The New York Times - Health

Gradually, though, the stories poured out: of her first two marriages to men she found inadequate; of having to leave her first son, barely past infancy, in foster care so she could earn their living; of her third marriage, for security rather than love, and the one great happiness it produced, the son we both adored.

The New York Times

What has chilled the Chinese, the Russians and some others in Europe, however, is that the administration is insisting on citing Iran under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which authorizes the use of penalties, and if that is inadequate, of military force.

The New York Times

Among them, only 58 (10.41%) were efficient and 502 (89.64%) are inadequate (of which 11.4% insufficient and 78.2% excessive).

Annals of Intensive Care

The main reason is that not we inadequate of data or processing, but the mechanism we can aggregate and cooperate the resources seamless.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The S.B.A. loan program is also contentious because of accusations of inadequate oversight of lending institutions.

The New York Times

He warned of the possibility of inadequate regulation of research in some jurisdictions.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

I often feel inadequate, out of my element, helpless.

The New York Times - Health

In view of inadequate knowledge of crude oil chemistry, oleic and aqueous phases of known composition have been employed.

Chemical Engineering Science

Of the participants, 54% were at risk of inadequate intake of energy.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "inadequate of" in formal writing. Instead, use "inadequate for" or "lacking in" followed by the specific area where something is insufficient. For example, instead of "the funding was inadequate of our needs", write "the funding was inadequate for our needs".

Common error

A common mistake is using "of" after "inadequate" when "for" or "in" is grammatically correct. Remember that "inadequate" describes a deficiency, and the correct preposition clarifies what is being lacked. For instance, say "inadequate for the task" instead of "inadequate of the task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadequate of" is used as an adjective phrase intended to modify a noun, indicating a deficiency or insufficiency. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are usually "inadequate for" or "lacking in".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inadequate of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. A more appropriate phrasing would be "inadequate for" or "lacking in", depending on the specific context. Although examples can be found across various sources, including news and scientific publications, this does not legitimize the phrase, as the intended meaning can be more clearly and correctly conveyed using alternative constructions. Pay attention to the preposition following "inadequate" to ensure grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient for

Replaces "of" with "for", correcting the grammatical structure to indicate what something lacks the necessary qualities for.

lacking in

Uses "lacking in" to express the absence of a necessary quality or quantity, offering a grammatically sound alternative.

deficient in

Similar to "lacking in", this highlights a specific shortage or deficiency in a particular area.

inadequate for

Maintains a similar directness but corrects the preposition usage to "for", making it grammatically correct.

not enough

Simplifies the phrase to a basic expression of insufficiency, suitable for less formal contexts.

falls short of

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

subpar in

Suggests something is below the expected standard, particularly in a specific area.

poorly equipped for

Focuses on the lack of necessary resources or capabilities for a particular task or situation.

unfit for

Implies that something is not suitable or appropriate for a specific purpose or role.

limited in

Highlights restrictions or constraints affecting the adequacy of something.

FAQs

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

Use "inadequate for" or "inadequate in" followed by the area or aspect that is deficient. For example, "The budget is "inadequate for" the project's needs" or "The preparation was "inadequate in" several key areas".

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "inadequate of"?

Alternatives include "insufficient for", "lacking in", or "deficient in". These options correctly express the idea of something not being sufficient.

Is there a difference in meaning between "inadequate for" and "lacking in"?

While both indicate a deficiency, "inadequate for" implies something is not sufficient to meet a specific need or purpose, while "lacking in" simply states the absence of a particular quality or element. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.

Which sentence is correct: "The resources were inadequate of the task" or "The resources were inadequate for the task"?

The correct sentence is "The resources were "inadequate for" the task". The preposition "for" correctly indicates the purpose or requirement that the resources fail to meet.