may be adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something has the potential to be sufficient or acceptable under certain circumstances. Example: "The proposed solution may be adequate for addressing the immediate concerns, but further evaluation is necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The performance at present may be adequate, but such things are relative.

The Guardian - Sport

Or the procedures may be adequate but may not have been followed, he said.

The New York Times

"Better Homes," a new exhibition at SculptureCenter, suggests that none of these aspirations may be adequate.

The New York Times - Arts

If demands are reduced sufficiently, the temporarily endangered supply may be adequate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"These may be adequate for fighting a small fire, but they would do little to combat the head and flames of a large fire," the report said.

The New York Times

Lumpectomy may be adequate for AME only.

Surgical Case Reports

Such level of power density may be adequate for wind generators, battery charging and water pumping.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Our results confirmed that 200 mg/day of riboflavin may be adequate.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Also, as our patients generally had mild pain, codeine may be adequate analgesia for them.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

For small deformations, ideal rigid bonding, as used in Cox's theory, may be adequate.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

When a recommended protocol cannot be implemented in full, a selection of tests may be adequate.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be adequate", clarify the specific criteria or context for adequacy to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what standards something needs to meet to be considered adequate.

Common error

Avoid using "may be adequate" when evidence clearly suggests insufficiency. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be adequate" functions as a modal expression indicating a possibility or potential sufficiency. It suggests that something could meet a certain standard or requirement, but without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be adequate" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote potential sufficiency or acceptability. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to express a tentative assessment of whether something meets a certain standard, often suggesting that further evaluation might be necessary. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this phrase offers a nuanced way to communicate conditional suitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could suffice

Replaces "may be adequate" with "could suffice", indicating possibility and sufficiency.

might be sufficient

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "adequate" with "sufficient", conveying a similar level of possibility and satisfactoriness.

could be enough

Uses "could" instead of "may" and "enough" instead of "adequate", offering a simpler alternative.

might prove satisfactory

Replaces "may be adequate" with "might prove satisfactory", suggesting a test of satisfactoriness.

could potentially work

Replaces "may be adequate" with "could potentially work", emphasizing the possibility of functionality.

might just do the trick

An idiomatic alternative, suggesting something "might just do the trick" implying it could solve a problem or fulfill a need.

could meet the requirements

Replaces "may be adequate" with "could meet the requirements", focusing on fulfilling specific needs or criteria.

might serve the purpose

Suggests the phrase "might serve the purpose" as an alternative to "may be adequate" focusing on functionality.

could fill the bill

An informal option suggesting that something "could fill the bill" is an adequate solution or substitute.

might measure up

The alternative "might measure up" indicates whether something meets the standard or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "may be adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "may be adequate" to express that something has the potential to be sufficient or acceptable under certain circumstances. For example: "The proposed solution "may be adequate" for addressing the immediate concerns, but further evaluation is necessary."

What can I say instead of "may be adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "could suffice", "might be sufficient", or "could be enough" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "may be adequate" rather than "is adequate"?

"May be adequate" implies uncertainty or a conditional state, suggesting further evaluation might be needed. "Is adequate" asserts a definitive state of sufficiency without reservation.

What's the difference between "may be adequate" and "may be sufficient"?

While similar, "may be sufficient" often suggests meeting a specific requirement or threshold, whereas ""may be adequate"" can imply a broader sense of acceptability or suitability.