insufficient quality

USAGE SUMMARY

"insufficient quality" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to describe something that does not meet a certain standard. For example, "The paint job did not meet the expected quality and was judged to have insufficient quality".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once, her daughters gave her birthday cards of insufficient quality.

The New York Times

GNM reserves the right to change the closing date where the entries are of insufficient quality.

The Guardian

GNL reserves the right to change the closing date where the entries are of insufficient quality.

The Guardian - Travel

(Harborside says it rejects 80percentt of the marijuana that arrives at its door for insufficient quality).

The New York Times

The departure of the director of rugby, Andy Key, did little to improve things and, ultimately, Leeds possessed insufficient quality to compete with their wealthier rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

The Promoters reserve the right in their absolute discretion to extend the closing date where the entries received are of insufficient quality.

The Guardian - Books

In addition, GNM reserves the right to extend the Competition Period in the event that the entries received are of insufficient quality or quantity.

The Guardian

I left the post [as chief editor of Climate Research] with no outside pressure, because of insufficient quality control on a bad paper – a sceptic's paper, at that".

The Guardian

We reserve the right in our absolute discretion to extend the closing date where the entries received are of insufficient quality.

The Guardian

GNM reserves the right in its absolute discretion to extend the closing date where the entries received are of insufficient quality.

The Guardian

Palace had thrown everything they had at Arsenal but, for the first hour, suffered from insufficient quality.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing why something is of "insufficient quality", be specific. Instead of saying "The product was of insufficient quality", specify what aspects were lacking, such as "The product was of insufficient quality due to poor materials and craftsmanship."

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient quality" as a general complaint without providing details. It's more effective to pinpoint the exact flaws or shortcomings, rather than relying on this broad statement. This will strengthen your critique and offer a more actionable insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient quality" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("insufficient") with a noun ("quality"). According to Ludwig AI, it is used to point out a deficiency or inadequacy in the characteristics of something. Examples show its use across varied contexts, always highlighting a shortfall in expected standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient quality" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that does not meet the required standard. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in many contexts. When using this phrase, be specific about the aspects lacking to make your critique more effective. Alternatives such as "inadequate quality" or "deficient quality" may be used to add nuance. Found commonly across scientific, news, and business domains, it is a valuable term for expressing critical assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate quality

Emphasizes a general lack of what is needed to meet requirements.

deficient quality

Highlights a specific shortage or failing in the quality aspect.

substandard quality

Focuses on the failure to meet a particular standard or expectation.

poor quality

A more general term indicating a low level of quality.

lacking in quality

Emphasizes the absence of desirable attributes.

inferior quality

Indicates that the quality is lower compared to something else.

compromised quality

Suggests that the quality has been negatively affected or reduced.

unsatisfactory quality

Highlights that the quality does not meet expectations or needs.

second-rate quality

Implies that the quality is not the best and is of a lower standard.

low-grade quality

Directly describes the quality as being of a low level.

FAQs

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

You can use "insufficient quality" to describe something that doesn't meet the required standard. For example, "The data was rejected due to its "insufficient quality"" or "The team possessed "insufficient quality" to compete with their rivals."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient quality"?

Alternatives to "insufficient quality" include "inadequate quality", "deficient quality", or "substandard quality", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "insufficient quality" a formal or informal phrase?

"Insufficient quality" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and overall tone of the writing or speech.

How does "insufficient quality" differ from "poor quality"?

"Insufficient quality" implies a specific lack in meeting a certain standard or requirement, while "poor quality" is a more general term indicating a low level of quality. The former suggests a specific deficiency, whereas the latter is a broader assessment of inadequacy.