insufficient quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a lack of something, indicating that the amount present is not enough for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The experiment failed due to an insufficient quantity of the required reagents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

HM contains insufficient quantity of protein for preterm infants.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

"However, a report was received from the technical delegate that showed during post-qualifying scrutineering an insufficient quantity of fuel for sampling purposes.

BBC

The results indicated that it possesses the ability of taking advantage of the high accuracy and overcomes the insufficient quantity of the natural frequencies for damage detection.

Engineering Structures

Due to the high water content of several mats, there was an insufficient quantity of air-dried material for chemical analysis.

Geochemical Transactions

The primary reasons why patients could not be included in the PAP were insufficient quantity of DNA or unsuccessful genotyping (Fig. 1, Additional file 1: Supplement Table 7).

Annals of Intensive Care

The available literature provides only limited test information on the fatigue performance of corroded beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP; additionally, most published studies have presented an insufficient quantity of test results.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The baking soda toothpastes on the market have insufficient quantities of cleaning agent and high concentrations of flavoring".

The New York Times

The Hanjiang River has higher sediment levels at 0.28 kg m−3 but insufficient quantities of water.

International Aquatic Research

Below 10 MeV proton beam energy, the authors reported a yield of insufficient quantities of 89Zr.

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

Purification of ovomucin is still an empirical technique and sometimes insufficient quantities of ovomucin are purified to allow characterization.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

If insufficient quantities of native topsoil are available, substitute materials derived from the overburden may be used as soil media.

Science of The Total Environment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient quantity of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and measurable to provide clarity. For example, "insufficient quantity of water" is more effective than "insufficient quantity of resources".

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient quantity of" when a simpler term like "not enough" or "too little" suffices. Overusing "quantity" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose. For example, instead of "there was an insufficient quantity of time", you can say "there wasn't enough time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating that the amount of something is not adequate. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various writing contexts. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying nouns like 'protein', 'fuel', and 'DNA'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient quantity of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses a deficiency or inadequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable, especially in formal and scientific contexts. While simpler alternatives like "not enough" exist, "insufficient quantity of" is useful when a more precise and technical tone is desired. It is important to be specific about what is lacking to provide clarity and to avoid overuse in favor of simpler phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", suggesting a measured portion that is not enough.

lack of

A general term indicating the absence or insufficiency of something.

shortage of

Directly states that there is not enough of something.

limited amount of

Similar to "inadequate amount", but emphasizes the restriction in size or extent.

insufficient volume of

Specifically refers to a lack in terms of volume or capacity.

scarce supply of

Focuses on the limited availability of a resource or item.

inadequate supply of

Similar to "scarce supply", highlighting that the provision is not enough.

meager quantity of

Emphasizes the small and often unsatisfactory nature of the quantity.

paucity of

A more formal term indicating a small or inadequate quantity.

dearth of

Indicates a severe lack or scarcity.

FAQs

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

Use "insufficient quantity of" to describe situations where there isn't enough of something. For instance, "The experiment failed due to an insufficient quantity of reagents" or "There was an insufficient quantity of fuel to complete the race".

What are some alternatives to "insufficient quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "inadequate amount of", "lack of", or "shortage of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "insufficient quantity of" or "not enough"?

While "insufficient quantity of" is grammatically correct, "not enough" is often more concise and suitable for informal contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

What does "insufficient quantity of" imply?

The phrase "insufficient quantity of" implies that the amount of something available is not adequate to meet a specific need or requirement. This can lead to problems or failures depending on the situation.