inadequately

USAGE SUMMARY

'inadequately' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb, and can be used to mean not enough or not to a satisfactory level. Example sentence: The government has inadequately funded the project, resulting in delays.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It argues that journalists' communications are inadequately safeguarded under Ripa because their sources may be identified from the data collected by the intelligence agencies.

The Guardian

However, data from the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation conducted in communities most affected by HIV shows that VCT is often inaccessible or inadequately performed.

The Guardian

Warsi felt very strongly that the government's response to the pounding and destruction in Gaza was inadequately robust, but there was no middle way to be reached.

The Guardian

Without the granular data gleaned from a census we risk creating the conditions for a hidden class to go undetected and for us to be inadequately informed about excluded and isolated groups, such as people without bank accounts and those who work cash-in-hand.

The Economist

Cheap foreign credit flooded into inexpert and inadequately supervised local banks.

The Economist

Marginalising the opposition generates risks that she seems inadequately to appreciate.

The Economist

And police chiefs have powerful political allies.As elsewhere, many Brazilian policemen are inadequately paid and trained.

The Economist

Why Chinese economic reform succeeded so spectacularly remains inadequately explained.

The Economist

His main purpose is to give the central government the authority to issue evacuation orders and take prompt action when a nuclear emergency occurs, instead of having to sit around while an inadequately prepared prefectural governor's office fumbles, as apparently happened in Tokaimura.Parliament reopens in early November.

The Economist

But an audit last October revealed that even the government's own bio-defence labs are inadequately monitored.

The Economist

No one wants to stop the gains from trade, but we need to address the problems in our education systems, which turn out far too many people inadequately equipped to compete in a world where muscle is no longer a valuable commodity.John BallLondonSIR – Although western countries still maintain a strong competitive advantage when it comes to technology-intensive jobs, the gap is closing fast.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadequately", clearly specify what is lacking or deficient. For example, instead of saying 'The plan was inadequately prepared', specify 'The plan was inadequately prepared due to a lack of resources'.

Common error

Avoid using "inadequately" as a vague criticism without providing specific details. Instead of a broad statement like 'The project was inadequately managed', pinpoint particular shortcomings such as 'The project was inadequately managed due to poor communication and a lack of clear goals'.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "inadequately" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action is performed or a quality is present to an insufficient degree. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies a deficiency in the manner something is done. For example, 'The system was inadequately tested'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "inadequately" is a grammatically sound term widely used to express that something is deficient or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and is observed across varied contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. Its neutral register and frequent usage in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscore its reliability and applicability. Remember to use "inadequately" to pinpoint deficiencies with specific details for clearer and more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently

Emphasizes a lack of quantity or degree, similar to "inadequately" but focuses more on the amount.

poorly

A more general term for something done badly or to a low standard, broader than "inadequately".

deficiently

Highlights a specific lack or failing in a particular aspect, more precise than "inadequately".

imperfectly

Focuses on the presence of flaws or imperfections, implying something is not up to par. Differs from "inadequately" by pointing at the degree of perfection.

scantily

Implies a very small or limited amount, particularly concerning provisions or information; less focused on quality than "inadequately".

meagerly

Suggests a poor or insufficient provision or effort; similar to "inadequately" but leans towards a lack of generosity.

unsatisfactorily

Directly indicates that something is not up to expectations or requirements; more explicit about the result than "inadequately".

defectively

Points to a flaw or fault that impairs function, more specific than "inadequately" by indicating a defined defect.

crudely

Highlights a lack of refinement or skill, suggesting a rough or basic approach; distinct from "inadequately" in its focus on the manner.

carelessly

Implies a lack of attention or diligence, suggesting the inadequacy is due to negligence rather than inherent limitation.

FAQs

How can I use "inadequately" in a sentence?

"Inadequately" is an adverb that describes something done or provided to an insufficient degree. For example, 'The research was "inadequately" funded', or 'The instructions were "inadequately" explained'.

What are some alternatives to "inadequately"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "insufficiently", "poorly", or "defectively".

What does "inadequately" mean?

"Inadequately" means not good enough or not sufficient for a particular purpose. It describes something lacking the necessary quality or quantity.

Is it better to use "inadequately" or "insufficiently"?

Both "inadequately" and "insufficiently" indicate a lack, but "inadequately" often implies a lack of quality or suitability, while "insufficiently" typically refers to a lack of quantity or amount. The better choice depends on the specific context.