insufficiently large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficiently large" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not adequately sized or does not meet a required dimension or capacity. Example: "The container was insufficiently large to hold all the materials needed for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The lack of significance could have been attributable to insufficiently large sample size or technical aspect of clozapine dosing (e.g., insufficient dose or duration of treatment).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The U.S. of his time had a reading public insufficiently large to sustain a freelance writer of books.

The New Yorker

Whether her decision was motivated by human rights objections or an insufficiently large purse was not immediately known.

The New York Times

The board heard that there were now concerns, not raised previously, that the sample size for one quarter's data was insufficiently large to be statistically robust.

The Guardian

'Either doctors' diagnoses for terminally ill patients are completely inaccurate, in which case there are serious doubts over the consistency of returns offered by these policies, or the research is not as comprehensive as would be desired - by Shepherds' own admission there is an insufficiently large sample size.

The Guardian - Money

However, random differences may remain if the sample size is insufficiently large.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

A "discreet hero" — in this novel, the ordinary businessman resisting illegality — borders on being a literary contradiction, someone insufficiently larger than life, but such a figure is the essential component of a modest, meliorist dream, one Vargas Llosa has sustained in times even darker than the present by noting that "a novel is something, while despair is nothing".

The New Yorker

"A really, really poorly designed or insufficiently designed large- or medium-sized car may be more or less protective than the best-designed small car, but that's something that you're not going to be able to tell just by looking at crash-test ratings," says David Zuby, senior vice president of vehicle research for IIHS.

Forbes

"A really, really poorly designed or insufficiently designed large- or medium-sized car may be more or less protective than the best designed small car, but that's something that you're not going to be able to tell just by looking at crash-test ratings," he says.

Forbes

Insufficiently cooked large-size rejects (knots) are screened and generally transported again to the digester for repeated cooking.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

As such, however, halides are insufficiently strong for large windows: they can plastically deform under their own weight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficiently large", ensure the context clearly indicates what the required or expected size should be. This provides a clearer understanding of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "insufficiently large" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "too small" or "not big enough" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficiently large" functions as an adjective phrase, where "insufficiently" modifies the adjective "large". It describes a noun by indicating that its size is inadequate for a specific purpose or requirement. Ludwig's examples illustrate usage in various contexts, from sample sizes to physical spaces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "insufficiently large" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is not big enough for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains, primarily science and news. While acceptable in many contexts, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose simpler alternatives like "too small" or "not big enough" in more casual settings. Using this guide, you can confidently and appropriately use "insufficiently large" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite big enough

Replaces the formal adverb "insufficiently" with a more conversational phrase, while retaining the core meaning of inadequate size.

smaller than required

Emphasizes that the size fails to meet a specific requirement or standard.

inadequately sized

Uses a different adjective to convey the insufficient nature of the size.

too small

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

of limited size

Focuses on the restriction in size, implying it's not adequate.

under the required dimensions

Highlights a failure to meet specific dimensional requirements.

not up to the necessary scale

Shifts the focus to the scale, suggesting it's not adequate for the task.

lacking sufficient volume

Specifically refers to the inadequacy in volume, which is a measure of size.

sub-optimal size

Indicates that the size is not ideal or effective for the intended purpose.

deficient in magnitude

Emphasizes a lack of magnitude, indicating something is not big enough.

FAQs

What does "insufficiently large" mean?

The phrase "insufficiently large" means something is not big enough or does not meet the required size or capacity for a particular purpose.

How can I use "insufficiently large" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficiently large" to describe a container, sample size, or any other measurable entity that is smaller than what is needed. For example, "The container was "insufficiently large" to hold all the materials."

What are some alternatives to "insufficiently large"?

Alternatives include "not big enough", "too small", or "inadequately sized" depending on the context.

Is "insufficiently large" formal or informal?

"Insufficiently large" is relatively formal. In informal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "not big enough" or "too small".