insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'insufficient' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something does not have enough of something needed or desired. Example sentence: "The amount of food provided was insufficient for all of the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An insufficient number of police were deployed to Mare Street and Clarence Road, offering futile attempts to contain the anger of a vast number of youths, the source of which remains unknown.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Abbott government has said it will provide only $3.2bn for Direct Action – an amount independent modelling has found will be insufficient to meet even a 5% target – and no more money will be forthcoming.

The Guardian

There was insufficient time to pursue with the prime minister the possible Australian political analogies of a plotline in which a leader apparently set for a long reign is cut down prematurely.

The Guardian

But this time, reformers are growing more confident of also convincing the Senate to back the legislation after strong support in recent days from the White House, intelligence agency leaders and a US federal appeals court – even as major civil libertarian groups have decried the bill as insufficient reform.

The Guardian

However, it was also a failing on the part of its members, who cut its funding and have put insufficient emphasis on building sustainable health systems in developing countries," its report said.

The Guardian

But Sinn Féin and the SDLP exercised a veto known as the "petition of concern" where bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for the law.

The Guardian

Health programmes for diseases such as malaria and TB are in vogue, but investment in health workers remains insufficient to meet the needs of local populations.

The Guardian

Initial attempts to extradite Aswat had been blocked in April 2013 by ECHR judges solely on the grounds of the severity of his illness and that there were insufficient guarantees about the accommodation and treatment available to him under detention in the US.

The Guardian

The tribunal however could find insufficient evidence to charge him with the serious administration, or attempted administration charges with respect to Thymosin Beta 4. That ruling is in line with the decision by the tribunal in March to clear all 34 players associated with the program.

The Guardian - Sport

It was vetoed jointly by Sinn Féin and the nationalist SDLP which deployed a "petition of concern" under which bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for a law.

The Guardian

The policies to be sketched out here will prove insufficient.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient", clearly specify what is lacking and the consequences of the deficiency. For instance, "Insufficient funding led to project delays."

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient" without specifying what exactly is not enough. Instead of saying "The resources were insufficient", specify "The resources were insufficient to meet the project's goals".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insufficient" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, indicating that something does not meet the required amount or degree. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "insufficient" precedes nouns like "evidence", "funding", and "time".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "insufficient" functions as an adjective indicating a lack of something needed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in a wide array of contexts. It is grammatically sound and carries a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Related terms include "inadequate", "deficient", and "lacking". A key best practice is to avoid vagueness by specifying what is lacking when using "insufficient". Its proper usage is further clarified through the FAQ section, addressing common questions and potential confusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate

Focuses on the quality or suitability of something being less than required.

deficient

Highlights a specific shortage or lack of something essential.

lacking

Emphasizes the absence of something needed.

scarce

Indicates that something is rare or in short supply.

meager

Suggests that something is small in quantity or poor in quality.

limited

Highlights a restriction in the amount or extent of something.

too little

Directly expresses that the quantity of something is not enough.

unsatisfactory

Implies that something does not meet the required standards or expectations.

wanting

Suggests a lack or deficiency in a particular aspect.

short

Briefly indicates a deficiency or lack of something.

FAQs

How to use "insufficient" in a sentence?

"Insufficient" is an adjective used to describe something that is not enough or inadequate for a particular purpose. For example, "The evidence was "insufficient" to convict the suspect".

What can I say instead of "insufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "inadequate", "deficient", or "lacking" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "insufficient" or "unsufficient"?

"Insufficient" is the correct spelling and usage. "Unsufficient" is not a standard English word and should not be used.

What's the difference between "insufficient" and "inadequate"?

While both words indicate a lack, "insufficient" typically refers to a quantity that is not enough, whereas "inadequate" suggests a lack of quality or suitability. For example, "insufficient funds" versus "inadequate training".