may become insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may become insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for something to no longer meet the required standards or needs in the future. Example: "As demand increases, our current resources may become insufficient to meet the needs of our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

During the system lifetime, the demand can increase and the total productivity may become insufficient to assume the demand.

Computers & Operations Research

However, because high temperature favours increased oxygen extraction by skeletal muscle, which consequently lowers venous oxygen, cardiac oxygen supply may become insufficient to meet cardiac oxygen demand.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Raising tuition would just mean that "more of their families may qualify for financial aid because their incomes may become insufficient to pay tuition bills," said Amy Falls, who oversees the endowment for Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.

The New York Times

The newly allocated resources may become insufficient or excessive after a while under the quickly fluctuated system workloads.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

In this setting, patient management can be a challenging task, where standard ICP/CPP monitoring may become insufficient to prevent secondary brain injury.

Annals of Intensive Care

When the oxygen stock is limited (critical situations as war zones, disasters, etc)., the delivery of high FiO2 for an extended period may become insufficient.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Business as usual solutions currently used are not economic and may finally become insufficient.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Use of incretins in dual therapy may be considered after lifestyle and drug monotherapy become insufficient and before β-cell function ceases and insulin therapy becomes the only option.

Advances in Therapy

Further restrictions may have to be implemented if the shutdown continues and current funds become insufficient.

The Washington Post

When RPE cells become insufficient to store shed POS or when RPE cells are degraded, POS may be stored between Bruch's membrane and RPE layer as drusen (Strauss 2005).

Biogerontology

The amount of fat obtained from hydraulic pressing of chocolate liquor in cocoa manufacture has become insufficient for the demands of chocolate production, and whole cocoa beans or nibs may be processed mainly for their cocoa butter content.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may become insufficient", ensure the context clearly indicates what is becoming insufficient and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "may become insufficient" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "The problem may become insufficient attention", try "We may not pay enough attention to the problem" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may become insufficient" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing a potential future state of inadequacy. Ludwig shows how it's used to indicate that something currently adequate might not be so in the future.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may become insufficient" is a versatile phrase used to express the potential for future inadequacy. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in various contexts, particularly scientific and news-related discussions. Understanding its nuances and potential alternatives allows for more precise and effective communication. While "may be insufficient" suggests a present state, "may become insufficient" points to a future possibility that warrants consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might prove inadequate

Replaces "become" with "prove" and "insufficient" with "inadequate", implying a possible failure to meet requirements.

could turn out to be lacking

Uses a more descriptive phrasing to express a potential deficiency.

might not suffice

Replaces the phrase with a more concise and direct expression of inadequacy.

may not be enough

Simplifies the original phrase to its core meaning, using more common vocabulary.

could be rendered inadequate

Highlights the possibility of something being made insufficient by external factors.

may eventually fall short

Emphasizes the potential for future failure to meet a certain standard.

might grow to be deficient

Highlights the gradual process of becoming insufficient.

may come to be limited

Focuses on the restriction or scarcity that results from the insufficiency.

could degrade into inadequacy

Emphasizes the negative progression from sufficiency to insufficiency.

might not be up to par

Uses an informal idiom to indicate a failure to meet expectations or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "may become insufficient" in a sentence?

The phrase "may become insufficient" suggests a potential future lack or inadequacy. For example: "As demand increases, our current resources "may become insufficient" to meet the needs of our clients."

What are some alternatives to "may become insufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "might prove inadequate", "could turn out to be lacking", or "might not suffice" depending on the context.

Is "may be insufficient" the same as "may become insufficient"?

While similar, "may be insufficient" suggests a current state, whereas "may become insufficient" implies a future change or development leading to insufficiency. The choice depends on whether you're describing a present or potential future situation.

What contexts is it appropriate to use "may become insufficient"?

This phrase is appropriate in formal contexts like academic writing, business reports, and news articles, where you need to express a reasoned possibility of future inadequacy. For example, when discussing resource allocation, project planning, or medical treatments.