insufficient material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is a lack of necessary resources, information, or content for a specific purpose. Example: "The report was delayed due to insufficient material provided by the research team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or the desperate strategies of a writer with insufficient material?

The Guardian - Books

As a judge, Hewart was prone to reach a decision too soon and on insufficient material and so seemed to take sides.

Britannica

It estimates that unless the UK dramatically increases the amount of rubbish for incineration, there will be insufficient material to burn when the new plants open.

Independent

Their lawyers told the Al-Sweady Inquiry "insufficient material" had been heard, but added they intended to pursue mistreatment claims.

BBC

For Buber, space was a necessary but insufficient material condition for the creation of culture based on dialogue.

SEP

Thus, in STC joints, the defects are formed primarily due to the attainment of insufficient material flow state rather due to the heat state.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

The major limitation of percutaneous core biopsy is the technical failure that leads to insufficient material for accurate diagnosis [56, 57].

Insights into Imaging

Correlation of growth patterns above or below the RPE with fluorescein angiographic patterns of classic or occult CNV was limited because most specimens had insufficient material to determine these patterns.

Duke University

The main reasons for radiological-pathological discordance are the occurrence of a lesion presenting as a mass or distortion, microcalcifications that were not fully included in the biopsy specimen and insufficient material for histopathological diagnosis [1, 3].

Insights into Imaging

Insufficient material - a player may claim a draw if their opponent has insufficient material to checkmate, for example if the player has only the king left and the opponent has only the king and a bishop.

Wikipedia

She declined to put herself forward for the 2008 Emmy Awards, citing insufficient material in the role.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient material" in scientific or technical writing, be specific about what type of material is lacking (e.g., "insufficient tissue sample", "insufficient data points") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient material" without specifying the type of material or its purpose. For example, instead of saying "the study failed due to insufficient material", specify "the study failed due to insufficient patient data" to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient material" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "insufficient" modifies the noun "material". It serves to describe a state of lacking the required amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient material" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that indicates a lack of necessary resources or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, signifying its broad applicability. Related phrases such as "inadequate resources" and "limited data" offer context-specific alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure to specify the type of material lacking for increased clarity. By avoiding overly general usage and specifying the material and its purpose, you can enhance the precision of your writing. Overall, "insufficient material" serves as a practical way to convey deficiencies across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate resources

Focuses on the lack of resources, which can encompass both material and non-material aspects, making it slightly broader.

limited data

Specifically highlights a scarcity of data, often used in research or analytical contexts.

scarce evidence

Emphasizes the rarity or lack of evidence to support a claim or argument.

deficient quantity

Highlights that amount is not enough for something.

lacking substance

Suggests a lack of depth or meaningful content, applicable to abstract concepts or creative works.

meager supply

Indicates a small or insufficient amount of something available.

limited inventory

Relates to the lack of things in stock.

restricted volume

Highlights there's a limited size or amount of something.

shortfall in supplies

Emphasizes a deficit or gap in the amount of supplies needed.

paucity of content

Specifically refers to a lack of content, often in a written or media context.

FAQs

How to use "insufficient material" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient material" to indicate a lack of necessary resources or information, such as "The experiment was inconclusive due to insufficient material for analysis" or "The argument was weak because of insufficient material to support it".

What can I say instead of "insufficient material"?

You can use alternatives like "inadequate resources", "limited data", or "scarce evidence" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "insufficient material" in formal writing?

Yes, "insufficient material" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where precise language is required. However, ensure that the context is clear and specific.

What's the difference between "insufficient material" and "lack of data"?

"Insufficient material" is a broader term that can refer to any type of lacking resource, while "lack of data" specifically refers to a shortage of data. Using "lack of data" is more appropriate when referring specifically to missing or incomplete information.