insufficient compensation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'insufficient compensation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the amount of money, or other forms of reparation, offered to a person or group of people for some form of loss or harm. For example: "Workers were offered insufficient compensation for the dangers they faced while on the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

When land or homes are seized for redevelopment

When workers are underpaid for their labor

When people are harmed by illegal activity

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Her family never received a penny for having their house destroyed, even though they were promised (insufficient) compensation.

The New York Times

These aspects of "Sweet Tooth" keep the reader trucking on through the novel, but alas they're insufficient compensation for the story's self-conscious contrivance and foreseeable conclusion.

The New York Times - Books

"If sugar comes from a farm where land has been acquired with force, or after paying insufficient compensation to customary owners, then the farm becomes tainted, and the sugar turns bitter.

The Guardian

Their grievance, receiving insufficient compensation when their homes were seized for redevelopment, is perhaps the most common complaint among Chinese displaced during the country's long streak of fast economic growth.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2007, several quilters from the Gee's Bend community sued Bill and Matt Arnett, alleging insufficient compensation for their art, which had been reproduced on calendars and licensed for home-décor products.

The New Yorker

The president Rafael Correa and other government representatives had consistently maintained that alternative plans to exploit the oil were merely a backup option in case insufficient compensation was raised.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Insufficient financial compensation Physician 1: We do our best to consult the patients, but the compensation system is limited.

BMC Family Practice

Insufficient financial compensation Physician 1: This issue is also related to the issue of medical fee compensation.

BMC Family Practice

No diseases, no consultation fee! Insufficient financial compensation Physician 1: This issue is also related to the issue of medical fee compensation.

BMC Family Practice

Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally managed issuers is a new basis for a negative say-on-pay recommendation.

Harvard University

Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally-managed issuers ("EMIs"), such that a reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI's executives is not possible.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical issues, use "insufficient compensation" to highlight the inadequacy of payments or remedies provided to affected parties.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient compensation" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "not enough pay" or "unfair deal" are often more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient compensation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "insufficient" modifies the noun "compensation". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state of inadequacy in remuneration or redress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient compensation" correctly describes situations where offered payments or remedies are inadequate. Ludwig confirms this and provides diverse examples of its use. It's common in News & Media and Science domains, with a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "inadequate compensation" and "unfair compensation". When writing, use it to highlight the inadequacy of payments or remedies, but avoid overuse in informal contexts. It's important to distinguish it from "no compensation", and reserve its usage to contexts where a responsibility to pay exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate compensation

Replaces "insufficient" with "inadequate", conveying a similar meaning of not being good enough.

deficient compensation

Uses "deficient" to highlight the lack of something essential or required in the compensation.

meager compensation

Emphasizes the small or paltry amount of compensation provided.

unfair compensation

Focuses on the justice and equity aspect of the compensation, suggesting it's not just inadequate but also unjust.

unjust compensation

Similar to unfair, but more directly points to a lack of moral rightness in the compensation.

paltry compensation

Highlights the insignificance or worthlessness of the compensation offered.

incommensurate compensation

Indicates that the compensation is disproportionate to the harm or loss suffered.

derisory compensation

Suggests the compensation is so small it's almost insulting.

substandard compensation

Implies that the compensation falls below an acceptable or expected level.

limited compensation

Focuses on the restricted or constrained nature of the compensation.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient compensation" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient compensation" to describe situations where the amount paid or offered is not adequate to cover damages or losses. For example, "The victims received "insufficient compensation" for their injuries."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient compensation"?

Alternatives include "inadequate compensation", "unfair compensation", or "paltry compensation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "insufficient compensation" and "no compensation"?

"Insufficient compensation" means some payment or remedy was offered, but it was not enough. "No compensation" means nothing was offered or paid at all.

When is it appropriate to use the term "insufficient compensation"?

It's appropriate in contexts where there's a recognized obligation to provide compensation, but the amount provided is seen as lacking or inadequate. This is often seen in legal, ethical, or business contexts.