insufficient number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficient number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the number of something (such as people or items) that is not enough to meet the required amount or level. For example: There was an insufficient number of volunteers to complete the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asterisks indicate that there was an insufficient number of respondents.

The New York Times

Asterisks indicate that there was an insufficient number of respondents in that subgroup.

The New York Times

Alas for Ed, an insufficient number of souls on his own side feel a similar ardour.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The D.O.T. claims there is an insufficient number of vehicles," he said.

The New York Times

Later, he lamented the insufficient number of mandatory drug treatment programs.

The New York Times

Military sources re ported that the shipment had included an insufficient number of magazines.

The New York Times

"An insufficient number of Taiwanese participated in the production of the film," said Teni Melidonian, a spokeswoman for the academy.

The New York Times

The Schundler suit maintained that an insufficient number of senators had been present when the Senate convened for a vote.

The New York Times

The possible hazards of ISCr remain unknown due to the insufficient number of studies to reveal the entire overdischarge process.

Nature

"It may be that she was responding to complaints about an insufficient number of Kosovans being pursued.

The Guardian

However, an insufficient number of cells can be obtained and cultured for cell transplantation.

Archives of Oral Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient number of", ensure you clearly specify what is lacking and the impact of this deficiency. For example: "Due to an insufficient number of staff, patient care was compromised."

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient number of" without specifying the required or expected amount. Vague statements like "there was an insufficient number of resources" lack clarity. Instead, quantify the shortage: "There were only 5 doctors available, an insufficient number for the 200 patients requiring care."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the quantity is inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show it describing a lack in various contexts, from study participants to resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient number of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate a deficiency or lack of something. Ludwig AI analysis validates this, showing its prevalence in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "inadequate quantity of" or "shortage of" exist, "insufficient number of" maintains a formal and precise tone. When using the phrase, be specific about what is lacking and the impact of this shortage. Common mistakes include using it vaguely without quantifying the deficiency. It is most frequently found in Science and News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than the count. It has a nearly identical meaning to the query.

shortage of

Directly states that there is not enough of something available.

limited amount of

Focuses on the restricted quantity, suggesting a constraint or scarcity.

lack of adequate

Emphasizes the absence of something that is sufficient or acceptable.

deficient amount of

Highlights that the quantity is less than what is required or expected.

scarce supply of

Highlights the rarity and potential unavailability of something.

in short supply of

Indicates that something is not readily available or abundant.

meager quantity of

Suggests a small and often unsatisfactory amount.

dearth of

A more formal and emphatic way to express a lack or shortage.

paucity of

Similar to "dearth", indicating a small or insufficient quantity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient number of" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient number of" to describe a situation where there is a lack of something needed. For example, "The study suffered from an "insufficient number of" participants to draw statistically significant conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient number of"?

Alternatives include "inadequate quantity of", "limited amount of", or "shortage of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not enough" instead of "insufficient number of"?

While "not enough" is simpler, "insufficient number of" is more formal and precise. Use "not enough" in informal contexts and "insufficient number of" in professional or academic writing.

What does "insufficient number of observations" mean in a scientific study?

It means that the study did not collect enough data points, which can affect the reliability and validity of the results. Researchers might use techniques to estimate parameters when they have an "insufficient number of" data points.