insufficient amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe an amount of something that falls short of the necessary or expected amount. For example, "There was an insufficient amount of food for all of the guests, so some went home hungry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in the mind of at least one European official, an insufficient amount of information might have been a factor behind the recent market turmoil.

The New York Times

Insufficient amount of collected data N7.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Inadequate response to therapy may reflect misdiagnosis or delivery of an insufficient amount of energy.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

A major mechanism of chemotherapy resistance is insufficient amount agent to reach the target DNA.

Protein & Cell

This means that in spite of the insufficient amount of an electrosteric dispersant, bridging flocculation occurs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

This procedure was repeated several times until there was insufficient amount of precipitate for optical characterization.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, the level of iron, which is currently consumed in insufficient amount, would decrease.

Health Economics Review

However, the results indicate that an insufficient amount is present to form critical nuclei necessary to induce the conversion reaction.

Electrochimica Acta

When preparing such decisions, an insufficient amount of support exists to calculate with reasonable effort the complexity costs.

Procedia CIRP

In both the cases complete adsorption is not attained due to the insufficient amount of Fe III)‒Mt.

Fashion and Textiles

On the other hand, insufficient amount of retarder cannot retard the setting time to the required workability.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient amount", ensure you specify what is lacking or deficient to provide context and clarity. For example: "There was an insufficient amount of funding to complete the project".

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient amount" without specifying what is lacking. Saying "There was an insufficient amount" is vague. Be precise: "There was an insufficient amount of data" or "an insufficient amount of resources".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (either stated or implied) to indicate a quantity that is not adequate or enough for a particular purpose. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

19%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient amount" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a lack or deficiency of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its usage spans diverse fields, from scientific research to news reporting and general writing, although it leans toward formal and neutral contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is lacking to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "inadequate quantity" or "scarce quantity" to add nuance to your writing. Remember, while broadly applicable, the formality of "insufficient amount" may make it less suitable for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is not enough to meet a specific requirement or standard.

deficient quantity

Focuses on the idea of something being lacking or incomplete in terms of the amount.

scarce quantity

Implies that the amount available is limited or rare.

meager quantity

Suggests that the amount is small or paltry, often implying disappointment.

limited quantity

Highlights that the amount is restricted and not abundant.

paucity

A more formal term indicating a scarcity or lack of something.

shortfall

Indicates a deficit or the amount by which something falls short.

lack

A general term that simply expresses the absence of something.

dearth

A less common term referring to a scarcity or lack of something.

inadequacy

Refers to the state of not being good enough or sufficient.

FAQs

How to use "insufficient amount" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient amount" to describe a situation where there is not enough of something. For example: "Due to the drought, there was an insufficient amount of water for irrigation."

What can I say instead of "insufficient amount"?

You can use alternatives like "inadequate quantity", "deficient quantity", or "scarce quantity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "insufficient amount" or "not enough"?

"Insufficient amount" is more formal than "not enough". The choice depends on the context. Use "insufficient amount" in formal or scientific writing, and "not enough" in informal settings.

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

"Insufficient amount" and "inadequate amount" are nearly synonymous. "Insufficient" suggests a lack or deficiency, while "inadequate" suggests something is not good enough for a specific purpose. The difference is subtle.